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)

Going back to Kitchen Confidential now.

great as an audiobook. made want to go back to Kitchen Confidential as an audiobook.

it was refreshing hearing his voice once again.

the way that he captures true kitchen life is absolutely wonderful. what an ability to translate the beautiful darkness that is kitchen life.

Classic Anthony Bourdain

A fun listen, though sometimes I think he was just on a rant rather than story telling. I enjoy Mr. Bourdain's stories when he gets into them and there are some gems in this book. If you liked Kitchen Confidential, this is a decent follow-up.

Loved hearing it from the author himself!

Bourdain's straightforward, tell it like it is style about the world of food was revealing and entertaining; his personal story was touching. Highly recommended for foodies!

no review needed...

if you are familiar with his work, this will make you happy. it is just as raw and unapologetic as the man himself

Anthony

I sure miss Anthony!!!
We was an amazing man and I soo enjoyed Medium Raw audio book narrated by him to hear his voice. I’ve watched all of his series of food travels.
It was a great book!!!

great follow up

... from Kitchen Confidential. Love the style of stright up writing and story telling. We miss ya Tony... aka flaco.

Still raw and moving

Anthony learned some life lessons since Kitchen Confidential and as with that one, it was great to hear his voice and his perspective. I miss him.

Miss this man. Gone too soon

Anthony helped me articulate into words emotions I couldn't express. Thank you for sharing this fine work. Complements so well Kitchen Confidential.

Once again a hit from Bourdain.

After reading and listening to kitchen confidential no less than 6x over the years. I finally followed it up with Medium Raw and was NOT disappointed.