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)

Bold & Brassy Bourdain at his best

I you ever watched Anthony Bourdain on one of his TV shows, I don't need to tell you this is a colorful listen. Probably not one to play within kids' earshot. However, for adult ears, it is a wonderful listen.

He gets more personal on this one. He talks about a slew of well-known chefs. He talks about experiences and get-togethers with other famous chefs. And he talks about the absolute love of his life: his daughter. He tells how becoming a father changed his perspective on so many things. The only difference is that coming from him, it's believable.

Anthony's baritone voice has a warmth and a rhythm that is like a Sunday drive through the mountains on a gravel road. It swoops, it swirls. It has highs and lows. It's clean and just a little dirty. Enjoy the ride.

Anthony left us too soon.

I know that some don't like him tearing into some personalities but I am fine with that and he really does that with style. I remember reading Kitchener Confidential soon after release and telling all that cared to listen how good it was. My original copy burned down in a restaurant fire of a good friend's restaurant which was in a way poetic.

Excellent

Classic scene setting and storytelling.
Anthony Bourdain’s descriptions, details and metaphors are unmatched. If you liked kitchen confidential, you will like this as well

Typical Bourdain Dry Humor & Raw Observations

He takes a good look at his industry but also himself admitting faults completely irrational reasons for the things he does. Love it & its great to hear his voice again.

USDA Prime Cut

Great listen for all the right reasons. He will be missed always and really great to hear his sick humor about the industry and life

Reminds me why I do what I do

I listen to it once a year, to remind myself why I do what I do for a living. it will forever be an inspiration to me and therefore one of the best audio books of all time

Excellent Listen!

Really Enjoyed this book! Tragic ending for Chef Bourdain..He lived is life and shared it.

Not as good as his first but absolutely enjoyable

Anthony Bourdain is a wonderful storyteller and in this book there are a lot of good stories. But few of the stories are as enjoyable as his first book Kitchen Confidential.

If you loved his first book you will definitely at least enjoy this book.

wonderful as usu

I didn't realize that I could genuinely miss someone I didn't actually know. he was a wonderful writer. his wit and casual grace with the grit of honest glimpses of humanity was his superpower. I didn't know he read his books on here. Bezos will get more of my money now bc i have to hear him read them all!

Very raw but you expect it. RIP Anthony!

Read by the author. You can feel that he lived it all. Very raw. Very good!