Title: Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook
Author: Anthony Bourdain
First published June 8, 2010
281 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780061718946 (ISBN10: 0061718947)
Rating: 3.84
Overview
Anthony Bourdain’s Medium Raw is a bloody good time. A decade after Kitchen Confidential, Bourdain takes us on a journey through the changing world of food and the people who cook it.
From his own wild past to his present as a world traveler, father, and professional eater and drinker, Bourdain dishes out confessions, rants, and investigations of some of the most controversial figures in the culinary world. He takes us behind the scenes of a secret and highly illegal gathering of powerful chefs, and pulls no punches as he dissects the modern gastronomical revolution.
From David Chang to Alice Waters, Bourdain takes aim at the biggest names in foodie culture, and always returns to the question “Why cook?” Medium Raw is a deliciously funny and shockingly delectable journey that is sure to delight both philistines and gourmands alike.
About the Author
Anthony Bourdain, a talented writer, penned several novels including Bone in the Throat and Gone Bamboo. His writing prowess extended beyond fiction and into the culinary world, with two bestselling books, Kitchen Confidential and A Cook’s Tour, that took readers behind the scenes of the restaurant industry.
Bourdain’s writing was sought after by prestigious publications such as The New York Times and The New Yorker, and he was a respected contributor for Food Arts magazine. However, he was perhaps best known for his work on television as the host of an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning show that captivated audiences worldwide.
Editoral Review
Anthony Bourdain is a name that is synonymous with food, travel, and adventure. As a chef, writer, and television personality, Bourdain has spent decades exploring and celebrating the world’s culinary traditions, and in his 2010 book Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook, he offers a candid and provocative assessment of the state of the food industry and the culture that surrounds it.
Medium Raw is a collection of essays and reflections that cover a wide range of topics, from Bourdain’s early days as a chef in New York City to his travels to various corners of the globe to sample local cuisines. The book is part memoir, part travelogue, and part cultural critique, and it showcases Bourdain’s irreverent humor, keen observations, and deep love of food and its traditions.
One of the main themes of Medium Raw is Bourdain’s critique of the celebrity chef phenomenon that has become so prevalent in the last few decades. Bourdain is highly critical of the way that chefs have become rock stars, with their own TV shows, cookbooks, and product lines.
He argues that this trend has led to a decline in the quality of food and the cooking profession more broadly, as chefs have become more interested in becoming famous than in perfecting their craft. Bourdain is also highly critical of the food industry more broadly, and the way that it has become increasingly corporatized and geared towards mass production rather than quality and sustainability.
Bourdain argues that the food industry is in a state of crisis, and that if we want to preserve the integrity of our food traditions and the environment that sustains them, we need to fundamentally rethink our approach to food production and consumption. Despite his criticisms, Bourdain is not without hope.
He celebrates the many chefs and food professionals who are pushing back against the homogenization and commodification of food, and who are striving to create a more just, equitable, and sustainable food system. He also emphasizes the importance of community and tradition in the world of food, and he encourages his readers to think deeply about the role that food plays in our lives and in our culture.
Overall, Medium Raw is a thought-provoking and engaging read that will appeal to anyone with an interest in food, culture, and social change. Bourdain’s writing is sharp, funny, and heartfelt, and his insights into the world of food and cooking are as relevant today as they were when the book was first published over a decade ago.
Whether you’re a dedicated foodie or just someone who enjoys a good read, Medium Raw is a book that you won’t want to miss. Rating: 5/5
Recommended for: Fans of Anthony Bourdain, foodies, anyone interested in food culture and social change.
