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Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly (Insider's Edition) by Anthony Bourdain
pretentiousbreadcrumbs's review
5.0
I've been wanting to read Bourdain for some time now. To me he carries the same rough, Hemmingway-esque mystique that followed Hunter S Thompson; someone who should've ended up in the gutter or the gulag, but somehow didn't due to a revered literary talent. With this being my impression going in, it wasn't surprising to read early on that Hunter was one of Bourdains key influences as a youngster. I was glued to this book, my high expectations didn't ruin the experience for me either as is often the case.
Bourdain is a self-confessed snob, but reading this feels less like a poetic 5 course-degustation and more like getting slapped in the face with a 20KG tuna. It's brutal honesty is striking and hilarious, the fact that he had to make so many apologies in this revised edition to the renown chefs he insulted made it even more humorous. The behind the scene's look at the restaurant kitchens might shock or disgust the people who like to dine-out ignorantly, but the different perspective should also make them appreciate all the effort that goes in to putting that pretty plate of food onto your table.
In a way this book is multiple types fused into one. It's part autobiographical of Anthony Bourdains life as a misfit and cook. Part 'how-to' guide for aspiring home cooks and foodies, and part motivational too (at least for me). All sections of this book are thoroughly entertaining and people from all walks of life should walk away feeling either more informed or more grateful.
I really appreciate how much pages of this book he dedicates to giving appreciation for all people in that keep the restaurant business moving, from dishwashers, bus-boys, line cooks, even celebrity chefs. Anthony Bourdain has worked his way up from the trenches and has done it all himself, this makes his words of gratefulness all the more sincere.
It's a shame Bourdain is no longer with us. Hearing from someone who has overcome their own personal demons to achieve success through raw talent and a decades long commitment to hard work is a voice we all need to hear from more often. At least we can still hear him through his books.
Bourdain is a self-confessed snob, but reading this feels less like a poetic 5 course-degustation and more like getting slapped in the face with a 20KG tuna. It's brutal honesty is striking and hilarious, the fact that he had to make so many apologies in this revised edition to the renown chefs he insulted made it even more humorous. The behind the scene's look at the restaurant kitchens might shock or disgust the people who like to dine-out ignorantly, but the different perspective should also make them appreciate all the effort that goes in to putting that pretty plate of food onto your table.
In a way this book is multiple types fused into one. It's part autobiographical of Anthony Bourdains life as a misfit and cook. Part 'how-to' guide for aspiring home cooks and foodies, and part motivational too (at least for me). All sections of this book are thoroughly entertaining and people from all walks of life should walk away feeling either more informed or more grateful.
I really appreciate how much pages of this book he dedicates to giving appreciation for all people in that keep the restaurant business moving, from dishwashers, bus-boys, line cooks, even celebrity chefs. Anthony Bourdain has worked his way up from the trenches and has done it all himself, this makes his words of gratefulness all the more sincere.
It's a shame Bourdain is no longer with us. Hearing from someone who has overcome their own personal demons to achieve success through raw talent and a decades long commitment to hard work is a voice we all need to hear from more often. At least we can still hear him through his books.
anaserrogomes's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
4.75
afriske's review against another edition
funny
reflective
3.75
Good writing. Suffers from cishet white man phrases if you know you know.
bruinuclafan's review against another edition
4.0
It's really strange to finish listening to this book the day he died. I'm feeling a lot of different things. Overall, the book is a fascinating insight into the world of cooking. I'd imagine that there was nothing like it when this book first came out. What struck me the most is the grueling amount of work a chef endures and the torrid pace of life. I had always viewed celebrity chefs as living a glamorous life. Not anymore.
Another strange aspect of this book is that it was my first time listening to a book on Audible. I'm not sure whether that improved the experience or not, but I'm glad to have been able to listen to the man himself, proper inflection and all.
That aside, the book is also an autobiography. Tony lived a crazy life, but you can tell that he grew over time and became an amazing person. He had honor, respected others, and lived with great integrity. He will be missed.
Another strange aspect of this book is that it was my first time listening to a book on Audible. I'm not sure whether that improved the experience or not, but I'm glad to have been able to listen to the man himself, proper inflection and all.
That aside, the book is also an autobiography. Tony lived a crazy life, but you can tell that he grew over time and became an amazing person. He had honor, respected others, and lived with great integrity. He will be missed.
trashique's review against another edition
5.0
“Your body is not a temple, it's an amusement park. Enjoy the ride.”
As a person passionate about culinary in my field of Food & Beverage, I cannot express what a loss this man was to the industry. Brilliant heart and soul artist in his craft, he was truly blessed with a unique mind, wild heart and always armed with a witty mouth. This man would slay you up a mouthgasm and entertain you like a true showman. He was charming with a dark edge, lyrically intoxicating, and absolutely hilarious. As a person who has struggled with mental health her whole life, his death broke my heart on an even deeper level. Check on your friends and loved ones. Never take anything or anyone for granted in this life. This book was a great representation of him, I enjoyed it immensely. I even had the audio version too along with the book so I could hear his voice for a more authentic experience.
What a loss.
As a person passionate about culinary in my field of Food & Beverage, I cannot express what a loss this man was to the industry. Brilliant heart and soul artist in his craft, he was truly blessed with a unique mind, wild heart and always armed with a witty mouth. This man would slay you up a mouthgasm and entertain you like a true showman. He was charming with a dark edge, lyrically intoxicating, and absolutely hilarious. As a person who has struggled with mental health her whole life, his death broke my heart on an even deeper level. Check on your friends and loved ones. Never take anything or anyone for granted in this life. This book was a great representation of him, I enjoyed it immensely. I even had the audio version too along with the book so I could hear his voice for a more authentic experience.
What a loss.