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elizareads35's review against another edition
3.0
I am not super familiar with Eric Ripert but I enjoyed this peak into the world of what it takes to become a world-class chef. It was interesting and intense at times. I admire how his passion for cooking fed his determination to persevere.
bookchew's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
A memoir that traces the beginnings of a great French chef and restauranteur.
A surprisingly quick read, with easy prose and an engaging story. It was difficult to read about some of the abuse Eric endured as a kid, but I loved spending time with him on the line at Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris and at the farm in Gascony. His depictions of a cook’s life are raw, vibrant, and immersive.
This memoir is short and sweet, and only covers the earliest days of Ripert’s career. The story ends just before his arrival in the US at the age of twenty-four. Though I was here for his experiences in France, I’m coming away from it wanting to know more: What were his impressions of the US? What was the path that led him to Buddhism? What has the journey been like up to -and after- the opening of Le Bernardin? And what memories can he share about his friendship with the late Anthony Bourdain?
I think Ripert has another book in him, and I do hope he writes it.
A memoir that traces the beginnings of a great French chef and restauranteur.
A surprisingly quick read, with easy prose and an engaging story. It was difficult to read about some of the abuse Eric endured as a kid, but I loved spending time with him on the line at Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris and at the farm in Gascony. His depictions of a cook’s life are raw, vibrant, and immersive.
This memoir is short and sweet, and only covers the earliest days of Ripert’s career. The story ends just before his arrival in the US at the age of twenty-four. Though I was here for his experiences in France, I’m coming away from it wanting to know more: What were his impressions of the US? What was the path that led him to Buddhism? What has the journey been like up to -and after- the opening of Le Bernardin? And what memories can he share about his friendship with the late Anthony Bourdain?
I think Ripert has another book in him, and I do hope he writes it.
nakedsushi's review against another edition
4.0
I read this in Ripert's voice in my head, along with his French accent. I think you should too. The anecdotes in this book sometimes jump around in time and get a bit repetitive because of this, but overall, I found Ripert's early life in the kitchen entertaining. I even laughed out loud in some bits, especially about his Ghost Sauce. I was incredulous about some of the stories, especially how they ended up, but I could see Ripert's love of food and dining clearly in his descriptions. His co/ghost writer captured that well.