I wish I had never read this book (Kitchen Confidential - Anthony Bourdain)

Member Name: fairwyse

Product:	Kitchen Confidential - Anthony Bourdain
Date:	23/06/01 (158 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A very different read, Loads of neat facts you won't read elsewhere, Some very funny stories

Disadvantages: Might put you off dining out forever, Quite a lot of swearing - which bothers some

Of course I jest. I found this book and Tony's tale to be quite fascinating. There is a whole other underground foodie world out there that many of us will never (THANKFULLY) get to know. In many ways this man has lead a very sad life, what with all the drugs and desperate times. They way he describes popping aspirin and other pills is quite alarming. But once you get through all the crap and listen to how restaurants are managed and kitchens are orchestrated to produce the food to the rest of us it is indeed intriguing.

Why I said I wished I had never read this book however is because of the confidences (thus the title) which he betrays to his profession. For example, he says that if you ever saw the worms (big long ones) which get pulled out of swordfish and tuna (even the best quality fish) you would never eat it again. And now every time a waiter tries to extol the virtues of today's special I'm so suspicious of it, and the fact that it might be something dressed up in the final hours before it goes off to get it out the door.

The book is very North American in content, experience, and perception, but I would imagine similar practices go on behind closed doors in Britain and some parts of Europe. Frightening. Still I love eating out, so I hope I will in time forget a lot of what I read and begin to enjoy myself fully again and order whatever I fancy without thinking about it. Then again, maybe he has done me a favour and I will order better options.

Anthony is a great storyteller and I intend to get hold of one of the fictional murder mystery books he has written. I also expect I will follow his career and read whatever interviews or articles I see with him. Pretty interesting guy. And he must be right about his wife; she can only be a saint, given what she has put up with, not only the long and unsociable hours, but also a real eccentric to boot. I'd like to find out what she does in her life.
r>Buy this book, it is out now in paperback. A great read you won't be able to put down. I bought it for my husband for his birthday. We have both read it. Now we have lent it to friends, but I want it back for my collection. Will probably read it again one day.