Local Chef,Architect to Publish ‘Creative’ Cookbook This Spring

“Cuisine of the Creative, a Cookbook by James Lambeth and Miles James” is scheduled to be published in March by Miami Dog Press, a publishing company owned by James Lambeth.

James Lambeth is an architect who owns Inn at the Mill in Johnson. Miles James is the chef/owner of James at the Mill, a restaurant adjacent to the inn. James Lambeth is Miles James’ father-in-law.

The book includes more than 140 recipes from 52 of the world’s leading artists, architects, photographers and chefs. James Lambeth did the photography for the book; Miles James did the food styling.

Recipes from the authors are included in the book. Miles James, who serves “Ozark Plateau cuisine” at his restaurant, included his recipes for “pesto-crusted rack of lamb, War Eagle Mill stone ground corn grits with Parmesan tuille (a cookie) and Moroccan shrimp.”

“Basically, it’s Jim’s work and my work combined,” says Miles James.

The 232-page hardcover book includes a wide variety of recipes, including such gems as artist Andy Warhol’s favorite: pumpkin seed-crusted snapper with champagne and watermelon.

Ever wonder what architect Frank Lloyd Wright preferred for breakfast? Try Irish oatmeal, graham bread toast, fruit jam, coffee, milk and orange juice.

According to the book, Salvador Dali’s favorite meal is crawfish consomme with garlic bread. For the book, Wolfgang Puck, the chef at Spago’s in Los Angeles, contributed his recipe for lobster salad and seared squab with noodle cake and mixed berry cobbler.

Miles James says some of the celebrities in the book didn’t submit a recipe. Instead they described their favorite meal to him, and he created the dish. In the case of artists who are deceased, the recipes were acquired through research or from their estates, he says.

Initially, 10,000 copies of the book will be printed, says Miles James. It will be available at James at the Mill, on the Internet and at museums across the country for $49.

Miles James says he, his wife Courtney L. James and James Lambeth have also created a company called Millvine Inc. that will distribute James at the Mill wine nationally, possibly through Sam’s Clubs. The wine is bottled by Louis M. Martini Winery in St. Helena, Calif., and labeled as James at the Mill wine. The wine, which comes in Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay, will also be available at James at the Mill.

“We’re trying to compete locally and nationally from Arkansas, so it’s interesting,” says Miles James.