The Galactic Gourmet: A Sector General Novel (Sector General Series) [Hardcover]

James White (Author)

Book Description

Series: Sector General Series | Publication Date: August 1996

The finest chef in the galactic federation, Gurronsevas, a huge, six-legged alien, confronts his ultimate challenge: to transform hospital food into something palatable.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

On the 384 levels of the far-future Sector General Twelve Hospital, a staff drawn from dozens of races treats the ailments of hundreds more, and also devises treatments to help newly discovered intelligent species. In this first hardcover entry in the Sector General series, popular since 1962, a gourmet chef celebrated throughout the galaxy is appointed Chief Dietitian of Sector General. Gurronsevas is a Tralthan (imagine a smallish, six-legged elephant), talented enough to substantially improve the hospital's food but somewhat accident-prone. Exiled to the medical team of a First Contact expedition, he saves the kangaroo-like Wem by concocting ways of cooking vegetables that overcome their cultural taboos, which had condemned them to starvation on a planet whose ruined environment no longer produces meat. White, a retired British physician, tells the story entirely from Gurronsevas's viewpoint, with realism, a delightful dry wit, compassion and an intimate knowledge of the technology, philosophy and politics of the medical profession. Fans can look forward to an above-average installment in a series that, perhaps more than any other of comparable longevity, has survived with grace the changes in both the SF readership and the larger society.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Sector General, a 384-level space station on the galactic rim, can handle the medical problems of all known species. In the latest installment in the 35-year-old series, self-assured master chef Gurronsevas, a six-legged Tralthan, is hired on to make hospital food palatable. Soon finding himself in trouble and banished from the ship, he travels covertly with a special emergency medical team to convince a starving, decimated population to accept help. Told from the chef's point of view, this story serves up dry wit and a glimpse into alien psychology. Highly recommended.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; 1st edition (August 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312861672
• ISBN-13: 978-0312861674
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,186,389 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great "First Contact" novel, March 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Galactic Gourmet: A Sector General Novel (Paperback)

Once again James White gives us a novel where we see the action through the eyes of an interesting alien character, Gurronsevas, the great gourmet chef. As with Lorien in *The Genocidal Healer*, Gurronsevas is allowed to learn and grow -- always to be welcomed in fiction. I've read all the previous Sector General books I love the fact that the aliens are fully people in their own right and humans don't always hog the limelight. The official reviews are correct about the humor. (The exchange two aliens have over an old human saying cracked me up.) I really enjoyed reading about Gurronsevas' role in the first contact situation and the people he tried to help. I did have one minor problem with the book, though: it was too easy to figure out what was going on (although there were a couple of things I didn't see coming). However, I'm 44 years old and I have over 30 years' experience reading SF and mysteries. Even if you're another "old" fan, don't worry. The book is well worth your time even when you're mildly irritated at the characters for taking so long to catch on. Ann E. Nichols

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "I have yet to earn their respect...", August 29, 2005

By 

CodeMaster Talon (Orlando, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Galactic Gourmet: A Sector General Novel (Paperback)

James White isn't a well-known sci-fi name, despite the huge sales of his delightful "Sector General" series. His books aren't flashy; there's little violence, even less sex, and no coarse language. But when it comes to writing thought-provoking, inventive, and just plain entertaining stories, in my opinion White is up there with Asimov and Heinlein.

In all the Galactic Federation there is not a more revered and honored chef than Gurronsevas, whose culinary talents are well-known by every species. He can easily command any salary in any of the most prestigious hotels and resorts in the galaxy, but after a lifetime of cooking for the rich and powerful, he finds to his horror that he is growing bored. What he needs is a challenge, and what bigger challenge could there be for a chef than the kitchens of the gigantic, awesome, famous and infamous Sector General Hospital?

The challenge proves a whopper even for this legend. How, for instance, can Gurronsevas improve the meals of beings that breathe chlorine, when one whiff of their air would poison him? How can he prepare a feast for someone whose mind contains the consciousness of more than one species, none of whom eat the same thing? And how can he navigate the delicate and fragile world of a multi-species hospital when he's built like an elephant? This last one gets him into one scrape too many, and it is in disgrace that he is sent on a dangerous final mission: Convince the population of a dying world to stop starving themselves to death. Can the greatest cook in the universe save an entire planet?

The problems are interesting, the solutions ingenious, and as always with White the journey fun and fascinating. All his books are page-turners, and this one's no exception. And while tenth in the "Sector General" series, "The Galactic Gourmet" is a stand-alone and can be read by a newcomer. If you like this, please get ahold of the first three "Sector General" novels, often sold together in an omnibus. While the beginning of the series deals more with the medical aspect of White's brilliant creation, all the tales of "Sector General" are worth reading. Please don't let this one pass you by!

GRADE: B+/A-

5.0 out of 5 stars My Favorite Book!, January 8, 2011

By 

Adam - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Galactic Gourmet: A Sector General Novel (Paperback)

Of all the books I've read, this one was the most difficult to put down - a fantastic novel with a story that really sucks you in and flows well. Also, this is the only book that has ever made me laugh out loud. It's the only Sector General novel I've ever read, but after all these years it remains my favorite book. Treat yourself to this entertaining story and enjoy the ride!