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Kitchen Confidential cover art

Kitchen Confidential

By: Anthony Bourdain
Narrated by: Anthony Bourdain
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Summary

Bloomsbury presents Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain, read by Anthony Bourdain.

After 25 years of 'sex, drugs, bad behaviour and haute cuisine', Chef and novelist Anthony Bourdain decided to tell all. From his first oyster in the Gironde to his lowly position as a dishwasher in a honky-tonk fish restaurant in Provincetown; from the kitchen of the Rainbow Room atop the Rockefeller Center to drug dealers in the East Village, from Tokyo to Paris and back to New York again, Bourdain's tales of the kitchen are as passionate as they are unpredictable, as shocking as they are funny.

©2000 Anthony Bourdain (P)2000 Penguin Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"A compelling book with its intriguing mix of clever writing and kitchen patois...more horrifically gripping than a Stephen King novel." (Sunday Times)

"Fantastic: as lip-smackingly seductive as a bowl of fat chips and pungent aioli." (Daily Telegraph

"Elizabeth David written by Quentin Tarantino." (A.A. Gill) 

What listeners say about Kitchen Confidential

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Finished this book in 2 sittings.

I never would have expected this to be the most binge worthy book I've read. I could've listened 8 hours straight if I didn't have to charge my earphones and eat some lunch.
A wonderfully interesting insight in to the culinary world from a great man.
Rip Tony

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28 people found this helpful

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Kitchen Confidential

I’ve admired Tony Bourdain’s writing since KC first came out 20 odd years ago. I’ve listened and read everything he’s written (including his book on Typhoid Mary) and loved it all. His writing is elegant, witty and so so so descriptive. In KC his own weaknesses and personal integrity are described beautifully along with the life of a piratical vagabond outsider chef as he journeys through his chosen career. I’ve waited oh so patiently for the unabridged Audible version of KC to become available in the UK and have just gorged the whole book in one glorious self indulgent happy thankful session. It is truly brilliant.

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21 people found this helpful

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Brilliant in every way

Love this man and everything he stood for , exceptional human being with an amazing story to tell . The highs and lows of the restaurant game tied with the behind the scenes adventures and schemes. The genius of Anthony is on full display throughout and he will no doubt take you on a journey you won’t soon forget , I Can not recommend this book enough . 5/5
RIP Anthony bourdain

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15 people found this helpful

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R.I.P Thanks for the memories

A great book about cooking and very heart felt and honest memoir. I heard about Mr Bourdain after he died. Sounded like his life was going so well. these kinds of deaths always leave me wondering what the truth is. This book is one of those that made me feel like I walked a mile in his shoes, and I'm definitely the richer for his experiences and commentaries. Thank you for sharing.

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12 people found this helpful

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Great listen

I've always wanted to read this book so delighted when I saw it available on Audible. Narrated by Anthony Bourdain himself which made the experience even better. Really good story and a simple must for a foodie.

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10 people found this helpful

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wish it was 5 times as long

loved this...didnt want it to end. funny, direct and utterly charming, I couldn't stop listening

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7 people found this helpful

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A glimpse behind the vale

Any chef listening to this must be getting flashbacks from their own life and anyone else gets a taste of what it's trully like behind their exquisite meals.

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Boring and snobbish

It's a reverse Resume/CV , he goes over his education and jobs in random order and tells how he sucked at them. Incredibly dull and very pretentious at times, especially the never ending enumeration of French dishes that brings nothing to the table (pun intended). Oh, he also keeps talking about drugs and getting laid - I guess that's 'funny' if you're 17 and slightly high yourself.

He did have a pretty good style, though, and read his own book well, it's a shame that he couldn't follow it up with some content.

Two stars only for the butter paragraph.

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3 people found this helpful

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Amazing tales.

Incredible stories throughout a crazy career path. Bourdain writes beautifully, and offers a stunning insight into the industry, what good food means, and how it all works.

Highly recommended, even if you’re not a foodie.

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Superb

an incredible insight into hospitality in the 90's. the fact it is read by Bourdain himself makes it even more special.

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3 people found this helpful