Reviews

Ferran: The Inside Story of El Bulli and The Man Who Reinvented Food by Colman Andrews

wmhenrymorris's review against another edition

I really like the way this book is structured. Andrews tackles issues of biography, food writing, hype, philosophy, criticism of Ferran, etc. in ways that are thorough but not tedious (unless one is allergic to history and/or food writing) and journalistic in tone (while still somewhat adoring of Ferran). This is not hagiography. But neither is it a take down. It's sympathetic and a bit in awe, but is also trying to peel beneath the hype. Andrews isn't afraid to (and has the skills to) talk up some of the dishes he had at El Bulli, but also isn't afraid to say when he doesn't like something.

And Ferran comes off less as a pompous genius and more as a driven, lucky, generous guy. This may just be a more sophisticated entry in the hype surrounding El Bulli, but if so, it's a very well-written and reported one.