Customer Reviews

Anthony Bourdain Omnibus

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The "Anthony Bourdain Omnibus" is a compendium of two earlier books, "Kitchen Confidential," and "A Cook's Tour" by noted chef Tony Bourdain. This book is a good value, and if you have read neither of these books I recommend it highly, otherwise it behooves you to buy whatever volume you are missing.

I like Bourdain, who is at once sarcastic, dry, and worldly, and yet can be surprisingly sensitive (if you have a hard time believing this last part, read the chapter in "A Cook's Tour" on Vietnam, and particularly his interaction with the napalm victim.) He is clearly very bright, but also earthy and amazingly funny. Both of these volumes are great to read, and I recommend them highly. Of the two, "Kitchen Confidential" is my favorite mostly because I used to cook in an upscale restaurant and totally grasp everything he is saying (he speaks the truth, believe me,) whereas "A Cook's Tour" was written in conjunction with a cable television show of the same name and deals with traveling and exotic delicacies encountered far from his home in New York. While I am mildly adventurous with cuisine, I readily confess that there are a few things that Bourdain consumes that I could never overcome my aversion to: that is part of why I like these books so much; Tony will try anything once and can make the reader viscerally understand what the experience is like without actually needing to eat it themselves.

Of all authors that currently write on food or travel, Tony Bourdain is my unquestioned favorite. I highly recommend this omnibus edition to meet your literary and gustatory needs.

Having been to culinary school, Bourdain speaks in a language I can comprehend. His stories are filled with detail leaving nothing for the reader to try to piece together. I'm not typically a reader of books, but am a huge fan of all things food, restaurants, and learning what it takes to survive in the restaurant industry. I am not dissapointed I bought this book. It's really fun to read - can't wait to get to the next page sort of thing. I've chuckled out loud a few times, and I'm sure you will, too.

1. Bad Tony on the horse.

2. Admits he is not the best chef in the world.

3. Bad Tony hating on the rest of the Food Channel cooking staff.

4-10. His romantic love for the French.