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{{short description|2000 book by Anthony Bourdain}}
{{no footnotes|date=October 2014}}
{{about|the book by Anthony Bourdain|the 2005 TV series|Kitchen Confidential (TV series)}}
{{Infobox book
{{Infobox book
| name = Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly
| name = Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly
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| translator =
| translator =
| image = Kitchen Confidential.jpg
| image = Kitchen Confidential.jpg
| caption = First edition
| caption = First edition
| author = [[Anthony Bourdain]]
| author = [[Anthony Bourdain]]
| illustrator =
| illustrator =
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| genre = [[Memoir]]
| genre = [[Memoir]]
| publisher = [[Bloomsbury Publishing]]
| publisher = [[Bloomsbury Publishing]]
| release_date = August, 2000
| release_date = August 2000
| media_type = Print ([[Hardcover|Hardback]] & [[Paperback]])
| media_type = Print ([[Hardcover|hardback]] & [[paperback]])
| pages = 320
| pages = 320
| isbn = 0-7475-5072-7
| isbn = 0-7475-5072-7
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}}
}}


'''''Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly''''' is a [[New York Times Best Seller list|''New York Times'' bestselling]] [[non-fiction]] book written by American chef [[Anthony Bourdain]].
'''''Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly''''' is a [[New York Times Best Seller list|''New York Times'' bestselling]] [[nonfiction]] book written by American chef [[Anthony Bourdain]], first published in 2000. In 2018, following Bourdain's death, it topped the ''New York Times'' non-fiction paperback and non-fiction combined e-book and print lists.<ref>{{cite news |last=Jordan |first=Tina |date=June 22, 2018 |title='Kitchen Confidential,' First Published in 2000, Tops the List Again |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/22/books/review/kitchen-confidential-anthony-bourdain-best-seller.html |work=New York Times |location=New York |access-date=December 6, 2019 }}</ref>


In 1999, Bourdain's essay "Don't Eat Before Reading This" was published in ''[[The New Yorker]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1999/04/19/dont-eat-before-reading-this|title=Don't Eat Before Reading This|work=The New Yorker|access-date=2018-08-28|language=en-US}}</ref> The essay, an unsolicited submission to the magazine, launched Bourdain's media career and served as the foundation for ''Kitchen Confidential.''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/this-is-the-story-that-launched-anthony-bourdains-media-career_us_5b1a7b1de4b09d7a3d716b88|title=This Is The Story That Launched Anthony Bourdain's Media Career|last=Amatulli|first=Jenna|date=2018-06-08|work=Huffington Post|access-date=2018-08-28|language=en-US}}</ref> Released in [[2000 in literature|2000]] to wide acclaim, the book is both a professional [[memoir]] and an unfiltered look at the less glamorous aspects of high-end [[restaurant]] kitchens, which he describes as unremittingly intense, unpleasant, [[occupational health and safety|hazardous]], and staffed by misfits. Bourdain believes that the kitchen is no place for dilettantes or slackers and that only those with a {{linktext|masochistic}} dedication to cooking will remain undeterred.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly|last=Bourdain|first=Anthony|publisher=Bloomsbury|year=2000|isbn=9781596917248|location=New York, NY|oclc=669990270}}</ref>
Released in [[2000 in literature|2000]], the book is both Bourdain's professional [[memoir]] and a behind-the-scenes look at [[restaurant]] kitchens. The book is known for its treatment of the professional culinary industry. The commercial kitchen is described as an intense, unpleasant, and sometimes [[occupational health and safety|hazardous workplace]] staffed by what he describes as misfits. Bourdain believes that the workplace is not for hobbyists and that anyone entering this industry will be deterred without a [[wikt:masochism|masochistic]], irrational dedication to cooking.


== Synopsis ==
The book alternates between a confessional narrative and an industry commentary, providing insightful and humorous anecdotes on the cooking trade. Bourdain has cited George Orwell's ''Down and Out in Paris and London'' (1933), with its behind-the-scenes examination of the restaurant business in 1920s Paris, as an important influence on the book's themes and tone.<ref>Codhina, A. (2018, June 8). Anthony Bourdain Is Dead at 61. ''Vogue.''Retrieved from https://www.vogue.com/article/anthony-bourdain-obituary</ref> Bourdain details some of his personal misdeeds and weaknesses, including drug use. He explains how restaurants function economically and warns consumers of the various tricks of restaurateurs. For example, he advises customers to avoid [[fish]] on a Monday as it is likely [[leftovers|left over]] from the weekend or earlier. He also suggests avoiding [[doneness|well-done]] [[beef]], since the meat is more likely to be from a less-than-best grade, as the substandard flavor would be masked in overcooking.
Structured as a loose collection of humorous anecdotes, ''Kitchen Confidential'' is equal parts confessional narrative and industry commentary on the cooking trade. Bourdain has cited [[George Orwell]]'s ''[[Down and Out in Paris and London]]'' (1933), with its behind-the-scenes examination of the restaurant business in 1920s Paris, as an important influence on the book's themes and tone.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/anthony-bourdain-obituary|title=Anthony Bourdain Is Dead at 61|work=Vogue|access-date=2018-08-28|language=en}}</ref> He details some of his personal misdeeds and weaknesses, including drug use. He explains how restaurants function economically and warns consumers of the various tricks of restaurateurs. For example, he famously advises customers to avoid ordering fish on a Monday as it is likely left over from the weekend or earlier. He also suggests avoiding [[doneness|well-done]] [[beef]], since cheaper cuts are often substituted for the top-quality meat used for rarer orders.


==Reception==
The book received positive reviews and created a large public [[cult following|following]]. Bourdain consequently became a celebrity.
''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' reported on reviews from several publications with a rating scale for the novel out of "Love It", "Pretty Good", "Ok", and "Rubbish": ''[[Daily Telegraph]]'', ''[[The Times|Times]]'', and ''[[The Observer|Observer]]'' reviews under "Love It" and ''[[The Independent|Independent]]'' review under "Pretty Good" and ''[[Sunday Telegraph]]'' review under "Rubbish".<ref>{{cite news |title=Books of the moment: What the papers said|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph/153260037/|access-date=19 July 2024|work=The Daily Telegraph |date=2 Sep 2000|page=62}}</ref>
== TV series ==
In 2005, the book was adapted into a television show [[Kitchen Confidential (TV series)|of the same name]], starring [[Bradley Cooper]] as a fictionalized Bourdain. The series was cancelled partway into its first season, and only 13 episodes were produced.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thewrap.com/watch-bradley-cooper-as-jack-bourdain-in-foxs-short-lived-kitchen-confidential-comedy-video/|title=Watch Bradley Cooper as 'Jack Bourdain' in Fox's Short-Lived 'Kitchen Confidential' Comedy (Video)|date=2018-06-08|work=TheWrap|access-date=2018-08-28|language=en-US}}</ref>


== Subsequent work ==
A follow-up book, ''[[Medium Raw (book)|Medium Raw]]'', was published in 2010.
A follow-up work, ''[[Medium Raw (book)|Medium Raw]]'', was published in 2010.

In 2017, amidst the [[Me Too movement]], Bourdain expressed remorse that ''Kitchen Confidential'' "celebrated or prolonged a culture that allowed the kind of grotesque behaviors we're hearing about all too frequently".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://medium.com/@Bourdain/on-reacting-to-bad-news-28bc2c4b9adc|title=ON REACTING TO BAD NEWS|last=Bourdain|first=Anthony|date=2017-12-12|website=Anthony Bourdain|access-date=2018-07-12}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://anthonybourdain.tumblr.com/ Anthony Bourdain's blog]
*[http://anthonybourdain.tumblr.com/ Anthony Bourdain's blog]
*{{OL book|id=19290065M}}


{{Anthony Bourdain}}
{{Anthony Bourdain}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:2000 books]]
[[Category:2000 non-fiction books]]
[[Category:American non-fiction books]]
[[Category:American non-fiction books]]
[[Category:American cuisine]]
[[Category:Non-fiction books adapted into television shows]]
[[Category:Books about food and drink]]


{{food-book-stub}}

Latest revision as of 13:44, 14 August 2024

This article is about the book by Anthony Bourdain. For the 2005 TV series, see Kitchen Confidential (TV series).
Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly
First edition
AuthorAnthony Bourdain
LanguageEnglish
GenreMemoir
PublisherBloomsbury Publishing
Publication date
August 2000
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (hardback & paperback)
Pages320
ISBN0-7475-5072-7
Followed byA Cook's Tour: In Search of the Perfect Meal 

Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly is a New York Times bestselling nonfiction book written by American chef Anthony Bourdain, first published in 2000. In 2018, following Bourdain's death, it topped the New York Times non-fiction paperback and non-fiction combined e-book and print lists.[1]

In 1999, Bourdain's essay "Don't Eat Before Reading This" was published in The New Yorker.[2] The essay, an unsolicited submission to the magazine, launched Bourdain's media career and served as the foundation for Kitchen Confidential.[3] Released in 2000 to wide acclaim, the book is both a professional memoir and an unfiltered look at the less glamorous aspects of high-end restaurant kitchens, which he describes as unremittingly intense, unpleasant, hazardous, and staffed by misfits. Bourdain believes that the kitchen is no place for dilettantes or slackers and that only those with a masochistic dedication to cooking will remain undeterred.[4]

Synopsis

[edit]

Structured as a loose collection of humorous anecdotes, Kitchen Confidential is equal parts confessional narrative and industry commentary on the cooking trade. Bourdain has cited George Orwell's Down and Out in Paris and London (1933), with its behind-the-scenes examination of the restaurant business in 1920s Paris, as an important influence on the book's themes and tone.[5] He details some of his personal misdeeds and weaknesses, including drug use. He explains how restaurants function economically and warns consumers of the various tricks of restaurateurs. For example, he famously advises customers to avoid ordering fish on a Monday as it is likely left over from the weekend or earlier. He also suggests avoiding well-done beef, since cheaper cuts are often substituted for the top-quality meat used for rarer orders.

Reception

[edit]

The Daily Telegraph reported on reviews from several publications with a rating scale for the novel out of "Love It", "Pretty Good", "Ok", and "Rubbish": Daily Telegraph, Times, and Observer reviews under "Love It" and Independent review under "Pretty Good" and Sunday Telegraph review under "Rubbish".[6]

TV series

[edit]

In 2005, the book was adapted into a television show of the same name, starring Bradley Cooper as a fictionalized Bourdain. The series was cancelled partway into its first season, and only 13 episodes were produced.[7]

Subsequent work

[edit]

A follow-up work, Medium Raw, was published in 2010.

In 2017, amidst the Me Too movement, Bourdain expressed remorse that Kitchen Confidential "celebrated or prolonged a culture that allowed the kind of grotesque behaviors we're hearing about all too frequently".[8]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Jordan, Tina (June 22, 2018). "'Kitchen Confidential,' First Published in 2000, Tops the List Again". New York Times. New York. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  2. ^ "Don't Eat Before Reading This". The New Yorker. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
  3. ^ Amatulli, Jenna (2018-06-08). "This Is The Story That Launched Anthony Bourdain's Media Career". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
  4. ^ Bourdain, Anthony (2000). Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly. New York, NY: Bloomsbury. ISBN 9781596917248. OCLC 669990270.
  5. ^ "Anthony Bourdain Is Dead at 61". Vogue. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
  6. ^ "Books of the moment: What the papers said". The Daily Telegraph. 2 Sep 2000. p. 62. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Watch Bradley Cooper as 'Jack Bourdain' in Fox's Short-Lived 'Kitchen Confidential' Comedy (Video)". TheWrap. 2018-06-08. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
  8. ^ Bourdain, Anthony (2017-12-12). "ON REACTING TO BAD NEWS". Anthony Bourdain. Retrieved 2018-07-12.
[edit]


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