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)

True grits

Bourdain's narration authenticates the smoky kitchen culture like a chipotle pepper adds flavor to an enchilada.

Miss him so much

So great to hear it in his own words! A tragic loss for humanity that he left this world on his own terms.

a man of the people

All I could say is that I miss Anthony Bourdain. He described a couple of things in his life that I have felt exactly the same way. He made me feel like I was not alone in this world with my imperfection. I just love the way he describes food and the way it taste and the places that he traveled to to eat that food. God bless him!

I miss Anthony Bourdain

I loved Kitchen Confidential and I wanted to explore another book by the late and great Anthony Bourdain.

I highly recommend this audiobook!

loved it!!!

I can relate to him working in the kitchen for 6 years till you finally say to yourself enough is enough. Thank you for sharing your work experiences. R.I.P

Brilliant mind. A+ experience!

Miss you Tony! I’ll experience your shows and books again and again. You bring me down to earth. You educate me about life and food!

ok

it was an ok book, I liked his 1st one better. still recommend it.. Thanks Tony, narration always A++

first half 10/10

the good stuff are all at the beginning. if you start listening to the heros and villains you went to far and it's time to skip a few chapters.

Miss You Sir

Amazing time spent with Anthony Bourdain...I enjoyed it from start to finish. I wish there was more.

A must if you’re a real foodie

Anthony does a fantastic job at this book, going over several things in the kitchen and life that had me rolling with laughter and excitement. I love and miss this guy. If you were a fan of Anthony, or Food, this one needs to be on your list. Enjoy!