Customer Reviews

The Hunger: A Story of Food, Desire, and Ambition

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This tale of ambition, perseverance in times of adversity, and personal growth begins in the present with the author, now the successful executive chef and part owner of the Waverly Inn in New York, working his buns off yet again, manically multitasking to keep his gastronomic creations flowing, staff hopping, and A-List customers happy. How he got started in the restaurant business, what motivated him to make the "plunge", the disadvantages and challenges he had to overcome, lucky breaks, wise and not so wise moves, people he worked with and what he learned from them as well as from each previous job, and some of the prices he has had to pay on the way to building a solid reputation are all narrated next with humor, humility, honesty, and effective use of flash backs and forwards as the main storytelling device. The author paints a vivid picture of the world he lives in (yes, there's drugs, sex, booze, betrayal, and loves lost), and although accounts of the ups and downs in his life did not always have the force of an intense drama (the narration had a few dead spots here and there), I still think this first-time author did a pretty good job and I thank him for sharing many of his eye-opening experiences with us.

I've been to the Waverly Inn and bought this book expecting a celebrity tell-all. I was quickly and immediately surprised to be drawn into a story about one man's change in career. Mind you, Delucie certainly dishes with great humor throughout the book, but my favorite parts were the very human stories reflecting his challenges and struggles in the food business mixed in with the glitzy Waverly chapters. I loved the stories of his mother and grandmother's influence on his career choice and his recipes. I found the tales of his wives touching and real. Between the excitement in the kitchen and his personal life, I couldn't put it down. A real 2-sitting read.

I started reading this on my flight from JFK to LAX. I was instantly cast into the kitchen, the dining, the celebrity life, the Insurance company. John has a way of telling his story, where you immediately become his teammate. You are dependent on him winning.
I got to my destination and had to meet friends, but I was sneaking my reading in the car, on the way to dinner. I loved the realness, the passion, the journey and I'm looking forward to more from John Delucie; be it books, food, more restaurants..I am a fan forever.

This story could be one of thousands, nothing John Delucie describes in this book made me think he knew anything about food, he was just good a scapping by and using people.

This book just left a bad taste in my mouth about fine dining.

How anyone can praise a man with such bad morals is quite sad.

Yes, he worked hard and made, but if you notice it was one of his many woman who got him in the right place at the right time. This title should say how I womanized my way to the top.

I am more interested in reading a book on his first x wife Gina, and seeing if her career flew as a honest hardworking hairdresser.

John is an a typical italian american and wouldn't surprise me if he has his own reality show soon.

The inside look at the world of professional cooking mixed with blood, sweat, and tears was fantastic. I could not put it down. Delucie's book, part memior, part cookbook, part insane fairytale brought to life a story so crazy that it could only be about the life of a seasoned restaurant chef in the equally crazy city of New York. it'll leave you hungry, jealous, and revitted all at the same time.

I was actually sitting at the kitchen table eating macaroni and cheese (sans the truffles) when I opened the box from Amazon. An hour and half later, after realizing the dog had nudged me three times and was crossed legged, I dragged myself out to walk her but on return immediately positioned myself on the sofa to get halfway through it on the first night. This is a GREAT book! A page turner for sure and although you already know the ending (or think you do) and that Chef Delucie is successfully ensconced at The Waverly Inn - you are still curious as to his road through the many kitchens of New York's restaurants and you are pulling for him every step of the way.

The fire in the chef's eyes in the cover picture perfectly captures the passion with which he writes, cooks, and lives. This isn't just any "achieve-your-dream in nyc" story, it's a "realize-your dream & make-it-happen" one. With a winning combination of ingredients: honest wit, rich diction,and impeccable narrative, John Delucie has crafted another extraordinary recipe with The Hunger.

This is a great read. Well written, witty and just plain old fun. A wonderful insight on how the chef struggled through challenges of life to get to where he is now. Exemplifying how perseverance pays off!! Very nice to read about accomplishments that come to fruition without stepping on or over anyone to get there. Highly recommend this book!!

I started reading the "The Hunger" last night and I couldn't put it down, it's a great read!
Delucie brings you into his world without being vengeful or folksy. You defintley come away with the feeling he is not one of those atypical maniac chefs we've all read about before but a guy you want to be fed by and want to hang with!

I love this book! It's a perfect summer read - warm, sweet, funny and delicious and full of wonderful anecdotes that will leave you feeling all fuzzy inside. Take it to the beach along with some bubblies - you won't regret it!