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)

Good in some parts

Since I will never (hopefully) go to NYC, I will never have the experience of eating in most of the restaurants he mentions. He writes about who and where he knows, and that’s okay, but does he realize there’s a whole other country other than NYC and CA (and Miami, maybe)?
The chapters devoted to the individuals are universally negative- does he ever like anyone? Finally, in that last chapter, he explains, as is true of all addicts, that he ran on anger and depression for most of his life. Gladly, he escaped the the fetters of his psyche… Until he didn’t any more. So sad and such a loss.
We miss your angry profane self, Mr B!!!

fantastic entertainment

Anthony Bourdain observes and reports with an edgy wit peppered with just the right blend of erudition and four-letter words. There is not a boring moment in this and you'll easily listen to it twice. It does meander slightly and its hard to discern an overall theme- but you'll be so hypnotized by the stream of ideas and wit that you won't notice this.

Forthright Funny Entertaining Book

Anthony Bourdain is never shy to express his opinion on the culinary world, he may be harsh but he holds himself up to that same critical eye.
It is refreshing to read a book from a man who is not afraid to express his opinions and political correctness be damned.
He has an irreverent sense of humour which I quite enjoyed.
Having read Kitchen Confidential I was eager for more.
This is a collection of personal essays that take us from St Barts to Top Chef.
The book is a reflection on his second career phase as a "celebrity chef" and it does not disappoint.
Anyone who has spent the last 28 years in the food industry should know what he is talking about. Its nice to know that the passage of time and years has not mellowed him in anyway.

A legend

Bourdain’s writing style and wit coupled with own voice narrating makes this a special treat. As with most of his work you come for the food, are charmed by the humor, and leave a little wiser.

I miss this guy...

He has a way with word. A way to invite you in. He was truthful and introspective. This book mad me miss him even more.

Bourdain gives a fantastic read.

stream of conscious

loved his first book and the television shows. This book was told about a lot of places I cannot afford to eat. Also a lot of people I never heard of. There were so.e good stories. The middle bogged down.

such a great story teller he doesn't need a story

i just enjoy him so much, when he talks about himself i really enjoy it the most but i would listen to him read the phone book. he was a very special person

Bourdain is timeless

The perspective is real. Bourdain makes reading makes it that much better... truly miss him.

Excellent

Anthony’s raw reading style brings the book to life. Can almost taste the dishes by his descriptions. Gone too soon.

We didn't deserve Anthony Bourdain

Truly a great man who holds many values that, myself and many others in the restaurant business, hold dear.

Respect the food, respect the dishwasher, and Fuck the customer. I have always loved his writting and his mission to be done with mediocre food passed off as good, and this book will reignite once forgotten flames for food and flavor like only Tony could.