Cooked

A Natural History of Transformation

By: Michael Pollan

Narrated by: Michael Pollan

Length: 13 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

Michael Pollan, the best-selling author of The Omnivore's Dilemma, Food Rules, and How to Change Your Mind, explores the previously uncharted territory of his own kitchen in Cooked.

Cooked is now a Netflix docuseries based on the book that focuses on the four kinds of "transformations" that occur in cooking. Directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney and starring Michael Pollan, Cooked teases out the links between science, culture and the flavors we love.

In Cooked, Pollan discovers the enduring power of the four classical elements - fire, water, air, and earth - to transform the stuff of nature into delicious things to eat and drink. Apprenticing himself to a succession of culinary masters, Pollan learns how to grill with fire, cook with liquid, bake bread, and ferment everything from cheese to beer.

Each section of Cooked tracks Pollan’s effort to master a single classic recipe using one of the four elements. A North Carolina barbecue pit master tutors him in the primal magic of fire; a Chez Panisse-trained cook schools him in the art of braising; a celebrated baker teaches him how air transforms grain and water into a fragrant loaf of bread; and finally, several mad-genius “fermentos” (a tribe that includes brewers, cheese makers, and all kinds of picklers) reveal how fungi and bacteria can perform the most amazing alchemies of all. The listener learns alongside Pollan, but the lessons move beyond the practical to become an investigation of how cooking involves us in a web of social and ecological relationships. Cooking, above all, connects us.

The effects of not cooking are similarly far reaching. Relying upon corporations to process our food means we consume large quantities of fat, sugar, and salt; disrupt an essential link to the natural world; and weaken our relationships with family and friends. In fact, Cooked argues, taking back control of cooking may be the single most important step anyone can take to help make the American food system healthier and more sustainable. Reclaiming cooking as an act of enjoyment and self-reliance, learning to perform the magic of these everyday transformations, opens the door to a more nourishing life.

©2013 Michael Pollan (P)2013 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Pollan narrates his book in a conversational style filled with conviction and eagerness that drive the listener to join his evolutionary quest." (AudioFile)

Really fascinating unique take on modern food

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book provides a fascinating perspective on modern food and how it has shaped humans. "Cooked," it turns out, doesn't refer to food, but rather to humans and the ways in which we are affected by our diet and our process of making food. The book spans the birth of cooking to the modern industrial food complex and their impact on our health, our society, and our interpersonal relationships. The concept is thought-provoking, and as always, Pollan delivers with outstanding journalism and writing. His reading is excellent. I highly recommend to anyone who finds food and its impact on us interesting.

South Park Chef

What made the experience of listening to Cooked the most enjoyable?

Helps you think about the food you put into your body

What did you like best about this story?

Learning the direction of food and the makers behind it

Which character – as performed by Michael Pollan – was your favorite?

Cooking the pig with "Fire"

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The stories behind the food and the people

Any additional comments?

Anyone who loves food need this book in their lives.

El viaje necesario. The one trip.

Todo humano debe tomar el viaje de este libro.

Every human should take this trip.

Great book! Very, very well read!

This would have received a 5 star overall rating, but, that is reserved for 'Les Miserables', and other 'Great Books' - that is just me.

My wife had read this book, and she thoroughly enjoyed and benefitted from listening to Mr Pollan's narration.

Mr. Pollan has written and narrated a wonderful book. I and my family will benefit from what he has done.

Read it and find your 'inner cook' re-vitalized!

fm

Michael Pollan, as usual, does NOT disappoint!!

One of the most talented authors I've ever read, writes about food again. This time about cooking, what it means, and even specifically HOW to cook certain things. Loved it!

a delightfully different approach to cooking.

Some books are better reading, some better listening to. This is one book I will do both, and more than one time. It made me really appreciate all forms of cooking from details that drill down beyond what I thought were the basics. Fun, interesting and informative.

Another branch on Pollan's Phylogenetic Foodie Tree

I actually listened to this last year, but am only now getting around to reviewing it. So, let's just say I was letting this review pickle.

In Cooked Michael Pollan stays close to his food roots. Similar in theme to: Omnivore's Dilema (Four Meals), In Defense of Food (Food Manifesto), Botany of Desire (Four Plants), Food Rules (Owner's Manual for Food), and Second Nature (Growing Food).

Cooked is just another branch on the Phylogenetic food tree for the Pollan's Omnivore, me thinks. Unless, of course, Pollan is going to delve into the proper way to digest, poop, or compost your waste. And... he might just.

I am neither a Pollan lover or hater. I've read a bunch of his stuff because it is fast and rather tasty. The problem with Pollan is reading too much of him. His books are a bit full of roughage and eventually too much of his raw idealism or fiber-rich localism gets to you.

I think that is the problem with idealists and their genius (genus?). No one can quite live upto the expectations. There just isn't that many locally grown mushrooms, or farmer's markets, or grass-fed organic beef. But education about farming, feasting, and cooking gives us a better sense of both the idea and the real. As long as we are aware of the costs of the way we eat and the way we cook, we are better than we started. The probelm comes in when we believe ALL the hype. As long as you can remain pragmatic about food and Pollan, reading him is a good thing.

Excellent

Any additional comments?

I found this book to be fascinating. Masterfully blending biology, chemistry, politics, history, health and culture (pun intended) Micheal Pollan bakes an airy loaf of wisdom that's also entertaining. Cooked is about how we humans interact with our food. It's something we all do but unless you're a professional foodie something we seldom think about. I highly recommend this read and especially this audio version read by Pollan.

Informative, insightful and funny

I always enjoy Michael Pollan's reading of his own books. This book surprised me by going even more in-depth than his typically mite anecdotal narrative style. i loved it.

Captivating

This book gave me a lot to think about when it comes to the eating and prepping of food. I recommend it!