Medium Raw

A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook

By: Anthony Bourdain

Narrated by: Anthony Bourdain

Length: 8 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

The long-awaited follow-up to the mega-best-seller Kitchen Confidential

In the 10 years since his classic Kitchen Confidential first alerted us to the idiosyncrasies and lurking perils of eating out - from Monday fish to the breadbasket conspiracy - much has changed for the subculture of chefs and cooks, for the restaurant business and for Anthony Bourdain. Medium Raw explores those 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-traveling professional eater and drinker, and even to fatherhood, Bourdain takes no prisoners as he dissects what he's seen, pausing along the way for a series of confessions, rants, investigations, and interrogations of some of the most controversial figures in food.

Beginning with a secret and highly illegal after-hours gathering of powerful chefs that he compares to a mafia summit, Bourdain pulls back the curtain, but never pulls his punches, on the modern gastronomical revolution, as only he can. Cutting right to the bone, Bourdain sets his sights on some of the biggest names in the foodie world, including David Chang, the young superstar chef who has radicalized the fine-dining landscape; the revered Alice Waters, whom he treats with unapologetic frankness; the Top Chef winners and losers; and many more.

Always he returns to the question "Why cook?" Or the more difficult "Why cook well?" Medium Raw is the deliciously funny and shockingly delectable journey to those answers, sure to delight philistines and gourmands alike.

©2010 Anthony Bourdain (P)2010 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"The food orbit is [Bourdain’s] element, and chapters on today’s leading figures—from chef David Chang to critic Alan Richman—display his access, outspokenness and comedic gifts....Mr. Bourdain is a vivid, bawdy and often foul-mouthed writer. He thrills in the attack, but he is also an enthusiast who writes well about things he holds dear." ( Wall Street Journal)

“Full of things everybody in the food world thinks but nobody will say...If [Bourdain’s] sharp eye and his wicked tongue have brought him acclaim, what’s kept him in the spotlight is his heart. Like Oscar Wilde, he’s a moralist in the guise of a libertine. Long may he prosper.” ( Denver Post)

“Bourdain has insight, access and good taste, and he’s a naturally engaging writer...Bourdain is a hopeless romantic when it comes to food and the people who cook. The subtitle’s real valentines are two elegantly written profiles.” ( New York Times Book Review)

Love his story telling

Hate he’s gone but having his legacy in print along with his TV show let’s him live on!

chef's listen

another great book anyone working the restaurant world should listen to after kitchen confidential

Quality Listen

Not as entertaining as Kitchen Confidential but still a really interesting and fascinating look at the food business and life after kitchen confidential

Chef Bourdain is always a treat!

No matter the format, tv, audio book, actual book or podcast, Mr. Bourdain never fails to disappoint and always go above and beyond any bleak expectation I could ever have of what to expect. Having read every one of his books and now listening to him read them in his sarcastic and quite funny way, I cannot be more happy. Sorry to have him gone too soon, I am so grateful to be able to hear his books narrated by himself.

The Snarky Chef returneth

My patience for Anthony Bourdain and his nose-in-the-air attitude about all things food has limits...and this book ended EXACTLY when they were reached. I don't think openly admitting you're a jerk and then acting like a jerk exempts you, but it does make listening to the wonderful writing much easier for people like me who like the behind the scenes stories of restaurants that I'll never eat in.

The man is funny, erudite, and so ridiculously opinionated you can almost forgive him anything. Almost. But this book is really for people with a high tolerance for all things food who aren't afraid of a lot of bad language and brutal attacks on perfectly fine people that Tony has decided are beneath him. This book goes well with a spoonful of sugar.

Im just a big tony fan

He can do no wrong. If they were to make me wear a tie for the book cover i would have had a cig in my hand or some subliminal item hidden.

Enlightening

Any additional comments?

This book is like a post script to Kitchen Confidential. I loved it. I love his voice and reading of it. I cannot possible add to the major critical reviews (the positive ones). WARNING: not for the faint of heart ! Anthony does not bother with word filters...and does not need to in my opinion. It is part of who he is.

Bourdain Is Perfect Narrator

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Focusing primarily on food and restaurant related topics—ranging from tasting menus to chef David Chang to Bourdain’s list of culinary heroes and villains—Medium Raw is a collection of essays that meanders far and wide. Although primarily focused on the restaurant/chef business, Bourdain also includes personal essays dealing with the break-up of his first marriage, a psychotic weekend with a crazed heiress, and fatherhood.

MY THOUGHTS

I very much enjoyed listening to this book. Bourdain lives up to his reputation as a no-nonsense straight-talker. Most importantly, his criticism of others is balanced by self-depreciation. I actually found him to be relatively reasonable and likable. Despite mellowing since Kitchen Confidential (by his own admission), Bourdain still isn’t afraid to call out people for being pretentious, fake or unskilled. He owns his opinions (the essay dealing with his dislike of vegans bristles with anger and passion) and has an eloquent way of cursing that is amusing and almost artistic.

My favorite essay dealt with his efforts to keep his young daughter from liking McDonalds—with Bourdain waging a war of misinformation and outright lies (“I heard Ronald has cooties!”). This essay was very humanizing; there is nothing quite like parenthood to soften even the most debauched and self-centered person. (And, by his own accounts, Bourdain was this kind of person for years.)

Despite his feuds with various celebrity chefs and disdain for the Food Network, Bourdain genuinely loves and enjoys food. This passion is apparent throughout the book. Whether describing an illegal dinner or various meals he’s eaten in almost pornographic terms, Bourdain made me think differently about food and cooking. One essay outlined the cooking skills that Bourdain believes should be required for all citizens—including simple knife skills and knowing such basics as making an omelet, roasting a chicken, cooking vegetables, selecting produce, steaming a lobster or crab, preparing potatoes, and cooking. After listening to this essay, I was inspired to roast a chicken—a process that turned out to be rather easy!

I plan on reading/listening to more of Bourdain’s books. Although I’m not a foodie, Bourdain’s writing held my attention and inspired me to care more about what I put into my mouth and how I prepare it.

ABOUT THE NARRATION

Bourdain narrated his own book, which is very fitting for a collection of personal essays. He has a pleasant voice and knows his way around a curse word. The book was a fun and easy listen, and the short essay format made it perfect for listening to in short bursts.

RECOMMENDED FOR

Bourdain fans, foodies, and readers who enjoy essays with a strong point of view

fantastic

a great writer and storyteller
keeps you in the moment....
I would highly recommend it

evolved bourdain

anthony bourdain mentions that people say he's gone soft, and they're beggin' for the super snark to return. everyone grows with time, or at least they should, and here's proof of it. he's not the same person that he was at the time of writing Kitchen Confidential, and he points that out, I think with humilty and grace. He gets to do whatever he wants traveling and eating and makes a great living at it. He's not bustin' his ass in a hot kitchen anymore and he realizes how lucky he is. Just listen to him talk about his daughter and you'll hear something so spot on and beautiful, you can't help but be happy for this man. The snarky, angry and humorous critic is still there - just listen to the chapter on meat and you won't be disappointed. I could listen to him talk about Pho for days...and I especially admire the respect he shows for the hospitality he is given, and behind the scenes workers in the kitchen - especially the fish prep at le Bernardin. very moving memoir. Bourdain is older, wiser, and he's still got it. Go see his book tour and get the VIP pass to meet him and get a book signed. A thrill that does not dissappoint.