Calling all foodies and wannabes -- here is a great summer food read that you will LOVE: Heat by Bill Buford.
The subtitle reads: Heat: An Amateur's Adventures as Kitchen Slave, Line Cook, Pasta-Maker, and Apprentice to a Dante-Quoting Butcher in Tuscany.
The book is essentially written in two sections: The author's apprenticeship with Mario Batali at Babbo in NYC and then a soul-searching trip (and sort of apprenticeship) through Italy. The first section spoke to me more, but overall, it's really an enthralling read for anyone into food, especially if you've fantasized about your own restaurant someday or just getting your skills to "that level".
If you're a fan of Top Chef, you may recognize one of the line cooks at Babbo, Memmo (Manuel on TC). I have to say, I was really pulling for him on the show, mostly because of the semi-adoration Buford has for his skills in this book, but that's another blog post :)
The book is now available in paperback, which makes it not only an excellent read, but a bargain too! Check it out and let me know what you think.
3 comments:
I bought the book several months ago and I love it. It is a great read.
I read this book last summer, and loved it. it immediately made me appreciate that 1) I wanted to keep cooking as a hobby and not a way to pay the bills, and 2) where food comes from matters.
i just moved to Frederick and have been trying to find the 'local food' movement, and I think i have.
great blog - keep it up.
Welcome to Fredrock Patricia -- it's great to have you here! If you liked this, try some of the books by Michael Ruhlman (Making of a Chef, Soul of a Chef, Reach of a Chef are my faves). I am a huge fan of his and of books that relate to the culinary field.
Thanks also for the kind words -- they're much appreciated!
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