“Kitchen Confidential” is an unfiltered and gripping memoir by the late Anthony Bourdain, who takes readers on a wild ride through the underbelly of the culinary world. Bourdain’s writing style is engaging and raw, and he pulls no punches in his descriptions of the often chaotic, high-pressure, and sometimes seedy world of restaurant kitchens. The story of a horrific burn suffered by a green Bourdain will be… burned into my head for a long time.
Bourdain’s willingness to take a tough look at himself and his own struggles with addiction gives the book a level of honesty and authenticity that is rare in memoirs. Bourdain reminds me how the passion for food and cooking can sometimes become all-consuming, but also how it can be a powerful force for good in one’s life.
As a reader, I found myself both fascinated and repelled by the world Bourdain describes, and his vivid descriptions of the kitchen environment made me feel like I was right there with him. Reading this book made me appreciate the incredible dedication and skill that chefs and really the entire kitchen staff bring to our tables. It made me want to be in the kitchen, but it also made me realize I have no chance in there with my soft hands.
“Kitchen Confidential” is a known as a classic in the food, cooking, or memoirs genre, and that reputation is well deserved. It gave me the gusto to try some new things and to appreciate the passion that goes into creating great food.
