The Lost Kitchen Cookbook by Erin French

From the New York Times bestselling author and founder of the beloved restaurant The Lost Kitchen comes a stunning collection of 100 Maine recipes that celebrate the simple beauty of seasonal cooking.

Erin French grew up in Freedom, Maine (population 719), learning the art of the griddle at her father’s diner. Entirely self-taught, she transformed her culinary education gleaned from well-worn cookbooks into something extraordinary: a restaurant that draws diners from around the world to a dining room that feels like coming home. Food & Wine has called her cooking “brilliant in its simplicity and honesty”—and that’s exactly what makes this cookbook so special.

Inside these pages, you’ll discover recipes that honor Maine’s abundant natural bounty: coastline treasures, river catches, farm-fresh produce, and woodland finds. From Whole-Roasted Trout with Parsnip and Herb Hash to Maine Shrimp Rolls, Ramp and Fiddlehead Fried Rice, and Rhubarb Spoon Cake, each dish celebrates the pure, honest flavors that make New England cooking so satisfying.

What makes this cookbook truly remarkable is its accessibility. Erin’s approach to cooking is refreshingly straightforward—no culinary degree required. Whether you’re nestled in coastal Maine or anywhere else, these recipes bring the magic of seasonal, ingredient-driven cooking to your own kitchen. It’s the kind of cookbook that invites you to linger over each page, then roll up your sleeves and cook something beautiful.

Perfect for home cooks who value simplicity, seasonality, and the kind of food that nourishes both body and soul.

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