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Medium Raw


Synopsis


Anthony Bourdain's long-awaited sequel to Kitchen Confidential, the worldwide bestseller 'As ferociously rude as anything Bourdain has done before' Guardian 'Terrific ... his love for his subjects - both the food and the cook - sings' Telegraph 'Bourdain has insight, access and good taste, and he's a naturally engaging writer' New York Times A lot has changed since Kitchen Confidential - for the subculture of chefs and cooks, for the restaurant business - and for Anthony Bourdain. Medium Raw explores these changes, moving back and forth from the author's bad old days to the present. Tracking his own strange and unexpected voyage from journeyman cook to globe-travelling professional eater and drinker, Bourdain compares and contrasts what he's seen and what he's seeing, pausing along the way for a series of confessions, rants, investigations, and interrogations of some of the most controversial figures in food. And always he returns to the question: 'Why cook?' Or the harder one to answer: 'Why cook well?' Beginning with a secret and highly illegal after-hours gathering of powerful chefs he compares to a Mafia summit, Bourdain, in his distinctive, no-holds-barred style, cuts to the bone on every subject he tackles.

Summary

Chapter 1: "The Art of the Kill"

* Anthony Bourdain reflects on the origins of his fascination with food and cooking.
* He shares his experiences hunting and butchering animals, emphasizing the respect and reverence he has for the animals he consumes.
* Real Example: Bourdain recounts a hunting trip with his friend, chef Marco Pierre White, where they stalked and killed a wild boar.

Chapter 2: "Through Their Eyes"

* Bourdain explores the perspectives of animals in the food chain, from the hunted to the domesticated.
* He argues that we should consider the well-being of animals when we choose what to eat.
* Real Example: Bourdain visits a chicken farm and witnesses the cramped and unsanitary conditions in which the animals are kept.

Chapter 3: "The Man Who Ate Everything"

* Bourdain profiles a legendary food writer and explorer named Jeffrey Steingarten.
* He describes Steingarten's extreme culinary experiences, including eating live ants and consuming 26 types of oysters in one sitting.
* Real Example: Bourdain recounts a meal he shared with Steingarten at the legendary Noma restaurant in Copenhagen.

Chapter 4: "The Big Show"

* Bourdain discusses the rise of celebrity chefs and the growing commercialization of food.
* He criticizes the superficiality and greed that he sees in the food industry.
* Real Example: Bourdain attends a lavish cooking competition where chefs compete for fame and fortune.

Chapter 5: "The Hungry Ghost"

* Bourdain delves into his own struggles with addiction and self-destruction.
* He explores the psychological motivations behind his excessive drinking and drug use.
* Real Example: Bourdain recounts his experiences in rehab, where he confronted his demons and began the road to recovery.

Chapter 6: "The Last Meal"

* Bourdain reflects on the inevitability of death and the importance of living life to the fullest.
* He shares his thoughts on the perfect last meal and the legacy he wants to leave behind.
* Real Example: Bourdain describes the meal he would choose to eat if he knew it was his last, including oysters, steak, and a bottle of red wine.

Chapter 7: "Raw"

* Bourdain returns to his central theme of the raw and unvarnished truth.
* He argues for authenticity in both food and life, rejecting pretension and embracing the messy and imperfect.
* Real Example: Bourdain visits a humble street vendor in Vietnam and savors the simple but flavorful dish he is served.