Chefs, Drugs and Rock & Roll

How Food Lovers, Free Spirits, Misfits and Wanderers Created a New American Profession

By: Andrew Friedman

Narrated by: Roger Wayne

Chefs, Drugs and Rock & Roll transports listeners back in time to witness the remarkable evolution of the American restaurant chef in the 1970s and 1980s. Andrew Friedman goes inside Chez Panisse and other Bay Area restaurants to show how the politically charged backdrop of Berkeley helped spark this new profession; into the historically underrated community of Los Angeles chefs, including a young Wolfgang Puck; and into the clash of cultures between established French chefs in New York City and the American game changers behind the Quilted Giraffe, River Café, and other storied establishments. Along the way, the chefs, their struggles, their cliques, and, of course, their restaurants are brought to life in vivid, memorable detail. As the ’80s unspool, we watch the profession evolve as American masters like Thomas Keller rise, and watch the genesis of a “chef nation” as chefs start crisscrossing the country for work and special events and legendary hangouts like Blue Ribbon become social focal points, all as the industry-altering Food Network shimmers on the horizon.

Told primarily in the words of the people who lived it—from writers like Ruth Reichl to chefs like Jeremiah Tower and Jonathan Waxman—Chefs, Drugs and Rock & Roll treats readers to an unparalleled 360-degree re-creation of the industry and the times through the perspectives not only of the pioneering chefs but also of line cooks, front-of-house personnel, investors, and critics who had front-row seats to this extraordinary transformation.

I Was There

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in food and restaurants and food history. It's very well written, The food scene in LA was very exciting during this time.

What did you like best about this story?

I was in LA and part of the food, food writing and restaurant industry from the late 70's through the 80's. The book is well researched, but I can think of a couple of LA people that I'm sorry aren't included. Nevertheless, to read about the evolution of dining and eating as an art and the emergence of chefs as celebrities makes this book a fascinating page turner.

What didn’t you like about Roger Wayne’s performance?

I wish these narrators would do more research on pronunciation. I cringed every time I heard a person's name or food mispronounced...escpecially the French terms. How hard could it be to do a little checking before you get into the recording booth?

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. It's too long, but very fun to listen to.

Any additional comments?

I bought the hard copy and was happy I did, because there are footnotes that are never part of the narration that enhance this author's work. Details that are interesting to the whole story and people involved are missing from the narration because of the lack of footnote narration.

How many chefs started in the industry how many knew each other and what a small circle?

I followed a culinary world, so it was really nice to see from the beginning where everything started how trends happen way before we thought they were friends

loved it

What a great trip down memory lane. I was in the kitchen at Michael's, Trumps, and Spago through all of that. It was a madhouse but what an adventure. the only thing I struggled with was the narrator's horrific pronunciations of French culinary terms. Noteworthy are poissionier, cuisinier and garde manger. Loved it nonetheless.

Totally loved

Gave me insight into all the chefs I’ve grown to admire. It was intriguing to hear the stories behind the beginning of the celebrity chef scene.

great

well written
great read
well done
very much enjoyed the true stories
cant wait to read the follow