Slapstick With Fish

Quick Review: Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain

Anthony Bourdain has made a second career of tasty writing about his first—and ongoing—career as a chef/TV star. This memoir begins with his inspiration as a child and young man, then rapidly descends into tale-telling of the most delicious and scandalous kind. 

Driven by his nature, which he describes as “a thrill-seeking, pleasure hungry sensualist, always looking to shock, amuse, terrify and manipulate, seeking to fill that empty spot in my soul with something new,” Bourdain falls into a dish-washing job. 

His observations of all levels of work behind the scenes at restaurants and diners may appall or dismay you (especially if you have ever ordered your meat well-done, eaten sailor’s mussels (Moules Marinières), or dined on fish on a Monday.)

Look for lots of double-entendre and slapstick with fish.

Liner Notes:

• The Kindle edition I bought includes updates learned from Bourdain's more recent TV gigs. I think I recognized that strange dish!
• You'll honestly wonder how the man has survived some of the incidents he shares. Food poisoning is the least of it!