From the pristine writing and proper language of Jane Austen, I plunged into the “culinary underbelly” and the sassy style of Anthony Bourdain. I had to transition so roughly: it’s a library book with multiple requests for it and due back within three weeks!
Since registering on my radar a while ago, I wanted to read Kitchen Confidential because of my own background of “growing up in a kitchen”. Other than red-hot tempers flaring during dinner rush, what added restaurant business insight would Mr. Bourdain give?
My favourite chapter has been “A Day in the Life”, as I’m sure it is with many readers, for it detailing the extent of multi-tasking and requirement for physical and mental stamina necessary for just one shift at a happenin’ New York restaurant. I am well aware that my parents face these decisions on a smaller scale and I feel increasingly proud that they have stuck to one operation longer than any of the characters described in the memoir.
To be sure, reading Kitchen Confidential has been much more satisfying than watching the histrionics of the reality shows that have followed.
What a great book. I loved it. I have read a criticism: Bourdain describes the type of kitchens he has worked in, and this is by no means universal, especially at the fine-dining end of the business.
Monter au beurre!
I just read this a while back too. He’s such a bad ass! And working in a restaurant (albeit in admin), a lot of what he says is spot-on. But it does give one an appreciation of restaurant life and the people who live it. With all the food he eats, however, I wonder how he stays so thing. Oh, must be all the cigarettes…
Eh, I’m so over Tony Bourdain. He thinks he’s the hottest thing since sliced bread..and he’s so not…the book was good but I admit I’ve let my dislike for him taint my desire to read anything else of his.
I’m pretty sure to not read another one of his novels – so much more to read! – either. He’s quite conceited and brash despite preceding apologies – on one hand, you wouldn’t burn through the book so quickly if it was slower-paced; on the other hand, it leaves a bad taste in your mouth that doesn’t lure you back.