A Cook's Tour

Abridged
Author: Anthony Bourdain
Narrator: Anthony Bourdain
Genres: Cooking
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Date: December 2001
Length: 6 hours, 30 minutes
Ratings:
  • Book Rating: 4/5
Formats:
  • CD

Overview

Dodging minefeilds in Cambodia, diving into the icy waters outside a Russian bath, chef Bourdian travels the world over in search of the ultimate meal.

The only thing Tony Bourdain loves as much as cooking is traveling, and A Cook's Tour is the shotgun marriage of his two greatest passions. Inspired by the question, 'What would be the perfect meal?', Tony sets out on a quest for his culinary holy grail.

Our adventurous chef starts out in Japan, where he eats traditional Fugu, a poisonous blowfish which can be prepared only by specially licensed chefs. He then travels to Cambodia, up the mine-studded road to Pailin into autonomous Khmer Rouge territory and to Phnom Penh's Gun Club, where local fare is served up alongside a menu of available firearms. In Saigon, he's treated to a sustaining meal of live Cobra heart before moving on to savor a snack with the Viet Cong in the Mekong Delta. Further west, Kitchen Confidential fans will recognize the Gironde of Tony's youth, the first stop on his European itinerary. And from France, it's on to Portugal, where an entire village has been fattening a pig for months in anticipation of his arrival. And we're only halfway around the globe...

A Cook's Tour recounts, in Bourdain's inimitable style, the adventures and misadventures of America's favorite chef.

Reviews (1)

Another Tour Behind the Scenes

Written by Fearful Foodie from Fountain Valley, CA on January 26th, 2009

  • Book Rating: 4/5

If you liked Anthony Bourdain's first book on his food exploration travels, this will be a nice follow-up. Not only does he explore the interesting foods he encounters around the world, he also shares insights into the new cultures he meets. On the downside, towards the end of the book, it becomes a bit difficult to follow the storyline of where he is travelling next. Also, there are times when his use of french cooking terminology goes a bit over the top. Overall, a very enjoyable listen, provided a good chuckle, but not suitable for people who are easily offended by four-letter words. This So Cal girl recommends.