Chef Thomas Keller will be having his first ever Las Vegas book signing later this month. Keller, considered one of America's best chefs, will be at Bouchon at the Venetian, from 6-7:15pm on June 16. The event will start with a brief question and answer session. Under Pressure, Keller's latest cookbook is dedicated to the science of cooking sous vide, a technique used in all of Chef Keller's restaurants. Copies of "Under Pressure" will be available for purchase the day of the event for $75 plus tax. Keller's other titles including "The French Laundry" and "Bouchon" will also be available for $50 each plus tax (they're available online for less but how many chances do you get to meet Keller?). Like his other books, "Under Pressure" is for those home cooks looking for a real challenge and a chance to cook high-end restaurant fare in their own kitchens. Interested parties may RSVP for Chef Keller's event at Bouchon by contacting Annie Kang Drachen at akangdrachen@bouchonbistro.com.

The New York Restaurant Cookbook: Recipes From the City's Best Chefs is an armchair tour of the most cutting-edge culinary city in the world. The book features recipes for the signature dishes from over 100 of the New York City's best restaurants, all selected and painstakingly adapted by respected food journalist Florence Fabricant.

The new version just out from Rizzoli has been updated with 30 all-new recipes from the most important restaurants in Manhattan, and its surrounding boroughs, on the scene today. Recipes are divided into eleven separate chapters including Appetizers; Soups; Salads; Pasta & Rissoto; Eggs, Sandwiches, Pizza & Brunch; Seafood; Poultry; Meat; Side Dishes; Desserts; and Drinks.

Highlights include Union Square Cafe's Grilled Filet Mignon of Tuna, Brooklyn's hip The Grocery's Seared Foie Gras with Asian Pear and Endive Salad, the iconic Second Avenue Deli's comforting Chicken Soup and the newly minted Fig & Olive's fresh Zucchini Carpaccio recipe. There are also chef's tips, wine and beverage suggestions, an exhaustive sources list, and full directory of restaurant addresses.

I've noticed lately that the trend seems to be for good food made in a style more in tune with today's busy lifestyles. But there is still room for elgant fare. In pursuit of that a great tool is the new Ducasse Made Simple by Sophie, a cookbook which features 100 recipes from master chef Alain Ducasse's encyclopedic Grand Livre de Cuisine. Sophie Dudemaine, the author, adapted 100 of his most famous recipes for the home cook making them simpler but not overly dumbed down. The book includes some classics such as Cream of Pumpkin soup, Lobster Newburg and Crepes Suzette. Each recipe has its own spread with a picture of the food on the right. It's not the most lavish presentation ever, this is a book clearly meant to be used rather than simply flipped through. Which is why I'm hoping that people with a love of kitchen experimentation will take part in today's contest. I'm giving away two copies of this cookbook.

To win, leave a comment telling me what food you most look forward to when the weather gets colder.

To enter, all you need to do is leave a comment below before 5:00PM Eastern, Friday, October 10 2008. We'll randomly choose two winners amongst the eligible entries.

Some other important details:

* To enter, leave a confirmed comment below answering the question above.
* The comment must be left and confirmed before Friday, October 10, 2008 at 5:00PM Eastern Time.
* You may only enter once.
* Two winners will be selected in a random drawing.
* Two winners will receive the Ducasse Made Simple cookbook valued at $35.
* Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.

See complete contest rules here.

This contest is now closed. Thank your for your participation.

Heston Blumenthal from world-renowned The Fat Duck in Bray, England is known for his expensive and innovative cuisine and now one of the world's best chef is creating one of the world's priciest cookbooks. He is partnering with the jewelry company Asprey to created a limited edition £1,000 luxury leather-bound book. The book will also come with two surprise 'silver gifts' from Asprey. The Independent reports that in spite of a weakening global economy luxury books are still big business. We've certainly seen more than a few, check out some examples in the gallery below.