Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly

This guy rocks, and his books are as good as his tv show (No Reservations).;)

This is a great book, a MUST have for any chef!!! Bourdain is one of a kind.

I am giving this book a 5/5 because throughout the whole book, you are entertained, and want to keep reading. You find out how he makes his way through the cooking career, how he makes his way to the top. This book describes to you what goes on behind the scenes in the kitches and how crazy it can be. I recommend this book to everyone!

this is such an awesome book. he's one cocky guy but man is this a good well written book introducing you to the underground cooking culture and what really happens. i dont cook and i still was entertained. i read the entire thing in two sittings thats how into it i was.

I read this book long before it had hit the better sellers list and he had launched himself into as he would describe "the evil" of reality tv fame. (In fact, this was the book that did that for him). Every once in awhile now, I go back to revisit it.

Behind the ever-so dry and lambistic humor which makes him such fun to read are a few pearls of wisdom worth taking from someone who is willing to eat & drink pretty much anything imaginable in the world for the sake of a good epicurean story.

But, it's the common sense of it all - that moves me most - and which I quote most frequently to friends even now: Don't order the fish - when it's obvious they're trying to clear it out before it goes bad!, Sunday Brunch - think Mom trying to figure out what to do with all her leftovers (oh, and again, avoid the fish). You probably don't want to ask for to many adjustments to your food at a fine dining establishment (at that point you need to worry more about what the chef is doing to the food than the wait team!) And finally, if you didn't catch this from Top Chef -Chefs have HUGE egos (and Bourdain demonstrates it well) - the best consider themselves tough gladiators of the kitchen - not the great artist you've envisioned.

Definitely a great read for anyone who likes to dine out on a regular basis!