Kitchen Confidential

Version: Unabridged
Author: Anthony Bourdain
Narrator: Anthony Bourdain
Genres: Cooking, Health, Mind, Body & Soul
Publisher: Random House (Audio)
Date: October 2005
Length: 8 hours
Ratings:
Formats:
  • CD
  • MP3

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Overview

The bestselling author of "Don't Eat Before You Read This" expands his appetizer into a deliciously funny, delightfully shocking banquet that lays out his 25 years of sex, drugs, and haute cuisine.

Selected Reviews

This book is spicey!

by Anonymous
  • Book Rating: 4/5

Not a chef, but love this title

by Alaynè
  • Book Rating: 5/5

More...

Read All 16

Reviews (16)

This book is spicey!

Written by Anonymous on August 12th, 2008

  • Book Rating: 4/5

Totally entertaining. Anthony Bourdain does a great job of narrarating and he had me laughing frequently. Enjoyable even for a reader who isn't interested in the culinary world.

Not a chef, but love this title

Written by Alaynè on June 23rd, 2008

  • Book Rating: 5/5

I am not a chef. As a matter of fact, I don't even use my stove at home. Nonetheless, I am loving this title by Anthony Bourdain. Each time I get in the car and listen to him talk about his many (mis)adventures in cooking, I find myself either laughing out loud or cringing at the thought at the next inevitable meal I will have at a local restaurant.

Raucous ride

Written by Anonymous on March 18th, 2008

  • Book Rating: 4/5

If you're not easily offended by foul language and low moral standards, this book is a raucous ride. I'm not sure how Bourdain survived to tell the tale, but he's a great story teller and an engaging narrator. I'd read the book awhile ago, but it was much more engaging to hear his voice, putting an entirely different spin on his colorful language. (His insults alone are worth the listen.) Aside from a short chapter on "professional kitchen tips," the purpose of the book is entertainment, and not insider advice on cooking or running a restaurant. Idle daydreams about someday opening a restaurant won't be so appealing after you listen to this one! Bourdain vividly paints a picture of the intensity of a professional kitchen, the odd characters drawn to the profession, and the sense of family that emerges when people work together under these conditions. You might even gain an appreciation of WHY that meal at your favorite "fine dining" establishment costs so much!

Worth a Listen

Written by George Smith from Dallas, TX on October 22nd, 2007

  • Book Rating: 4/5

First...I love Bourdain. He cuts to the chase about the world of food and restaurants...Particularly the one's in New York City. If anyone loves food or even is thinking about the "romantic notion" of owning a restaurant this is a must "listen" (or read). The only complaint is that it is 7 CD's a little too long and it gets a little repetitive.

real raw Boudain

Written by Anonymous on September 10th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 5/5

Loved this book, as a closet foodie I throughly enjoy Bourdain's dry & sardonic style. This book is the real commercial kitchen experience. BTDT. His occasional references to his person battles help to authentic & inspire , if they don't repulse you first. Word of warning if you are offended by profanity do not get. With his typical flair Bourdain rattles off a string of profanitites (he gives an example of how he would reprimand an employee) IF you are not easily offened and appreciate honest, real, insider stories. This would be a good choice for you .

Great, Fun Read

Written by White&Gold from Lawrenceville, GA on March 28th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 5/5

Don't "read" this book expecting detailed recipes or a "how to" on owning your own restaurant. Bourdain's book was a great one to listen to, the narrator was very playful, and the content of Bourdain's life in the restaurant industry very entertaining. I highly suggest this (mostly) non-fiction as an "off the beaten path" book, full of great stories, a few insightful know-hows, and just enough vulgarity to make you really feel this Chef's "no-bull" mantra.

Kitchen Confidential

Written by Caitlin Alexander on February 7th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 5/5

This audio book was excellent. Getting to hear and understand the sub culture of restuerant kitchens was exciting and fascinating. I was eager to get back in my car for long drives just to be able to listen to more stories of this world. I am not a cook, chef or even a foody and I found this book fantastic. Hearing Anthony Bourdain reading his own work also added for me. He is rough and raw and full of insightful intuitive remarks that you could hear through his rough and tumble persona. I really enjoyed this book.

what a waste of time....

Written by KD on August 18th, 2006

  • Book Rating: 2/5

Somehow, I thought this book would be more informative and less vulgar. The profanity was irritating at best, and the book wasn't really what I expected. There were a few tidbits of useful information, but for the most part the book is a collection of stories dating back to the early 1970's of the author's experiences -- frequently unsavory or unpleasant -- working in restaurants. Mostly, he succeeded in making me think less of chefs as a whole, which is unfortunate. He might have redeemed himself in the end, but I'll never know...I couldn't make it past disc 5, just too boring and too much profanity.

Kitchen confidential

Written by Patricia on July 29th, 2006

  • Book Rating: 3/5

Disgusting book! I could be more explicit but I won't though I think my reaction had to be the reaction the author was going for in this degrading account of the restaurant business. Eating out should be a celebration esp. for what you pay for a decent meal. There was somthing spiritual about eating out for me... not anymore. I want only to find the chefs like Scott Bryan to create my meals though he seems to be a rare find. I am cooking more for myself now seeing as I am not interested in supporting such a seedy industry. At least now I have some good recommendations for tools for cooking. I am vegetarian so if I ever met Tony we know the dislike would be mutual.

Kitchen Confidential

Written by Andrew from Kennett Square, PA on June 28th, 2006

  • Book Rating: 5/5

Very well-written and interesting book. Highly recommend.

Selected Reviews

This book is spicey!

by Anonymous
  • Book Rating: 4/5

Not a chef, but love this title

by Alaynè
  • Book Rating: 5/5

More...

Read All 16

Author Details

Author Details

Bourdain, Anthony

Anthony Bourdain is the author of the novels "Bone in the Throat" and "Gone Bamboo", in addition to the megabestseller "Kitchen Confidential" and "A Cook's Tour". His work has appeared in the "New York Times" and the "New Yorker", and he is a contributing authority for "Food Arts" magazine. He is the host of the popular television show "No Reservations".