Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain

Synopsis: Takes taken from personal experiences about the biz of running restaurants.

Writing Style: Lyrical, And Quite Satirical

Pacing: Fast.

Personal Highlights: I didn’t choose this book trying to hike up my cooking skills. Innocently, not knowing, RIP Tony was a culinary giant, this ‘adventure in the culinary underbelly’ slipped up on me because it sounded interesting.

‘Before Flay, and Food Network or rising food stars started trending, there was Tony, a kid with the “raging adrenalin” falling hard for the food business. I had to laugh at his early attempts, though respected his admitting how he got into the CIA. That was some honest speak. “After graduating he had field experience, a vocabulary (figures) and a criminal mind;” ALL ingredients necessary (at the time) to becoming a rising star in the industry.’

Wordy, but a literary masterpiece all around. Couldn’t get enough of the wrap around sentences, spliced and diced and spiced with logic, gore, slang and foreign tidbits slinging words back and forth, and up and down the page. And the storytelling is rife throughout. Didn’t recognize half the foods mentioned, though not to be confused with having never tasted some of these histrionic nutriments. Usually someone ordered for me or I just pointed …for the love of laughing out loud.

All to slaver on, Kitchen Confidential is informative, wildly entertaining, and truly poetic. Readers will learn the wonders of professional level cooking, and things like the difference between a craftsman and an artist. Won’t forget that one, along with making sure I keep shallots and plenty of towels on hand. Other personal favorites; ‘the do’s and don’t’s’… those Monday ‘old discounted sushi’ specials, what “Bigfoot” taught him about running a kitchen, and his many lessons thereafter. Can’t make this stuff up on whim. Just have to know and love the business; Low margins. Low wages. And high turnovers. Loud, busy and quite chaotic, everything but the kitchen sink is in here. Still humming to “Ain’t that a kick in the head!” Two types of readers will love this memoir: those looking to move into the restaurant biz and those who have a great admiration and respect for Bourdain. Loved all of it. Highly recommended. Read soft copy (updated edition) 2000, 2017 copyright version.