If you are looking for something light to read, check out Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly. Written by New York Chef Anthony Bourdain, the book was a bestseller when it first came out in 2000 and it is still an interesting read now. Originally written as an expose of what really goes on in the restaurant business, the book is funny and entertaining. If you’re expecting a cookbook, this isn’t the book to read.
There are some fascinating and quite important tips included in the book. For example, do not order the fish on Mondays since this usually isn’t fresh but 4 day old stock. He also mentions that some establishments do recycle their unused bread.
Kitchen Confidential though also talks about something that most people forget. Professional cooking isn’t an easy task. It is work, and sometimes hard work at that. The book talks about what the life of a cook is really like – not the glamorized version we see on TV. This book reminds us that there are many people behind the scenes who put together the meals we all love.
This book is better than any reality TV cooking show if you want entertainment and learn something about the restaurant business. It is now available in paperback in stores.
Originally posted on February 8, 2007 @ 11:08 pm
