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Sous Chef
Sous Chef: 24 Hours on the Line | Michael Gibney
14 posts | 17 read | 20 to read
NAMED ONE OF THE TEN BEST NONFICTION BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY TIME The back must slave to feed the belly. . . . In this urgent and unique book, chef Michael Gibney uses twenty-four hours to animate the intricate camaraderie and culinary choreography in an upscale New York restaurant kitchen. Here readers will find all the details, in rapid-fire succession, of what it takes to deliver an exceptional plate of foodthe journey to excellence by way of exhaustion. Told in second-person narrative, Sous Chef is an immersive, adrenaline-fueled run that offers a fly-on-the-wall perspective on the food service industry, allowing readers to briefly inhabit the hidden world behind the kitchen doors, in real time. This exhilarating account provides regular diners and food enthusiasts alike a detailed insiders perspective, while offering fledgling professional cooks an honest picture of what the future holds, ultimately giving voice to the hard work and dedication around which chefs have built their careers. In a kitchen where the highest standards are upheld and one misstep can result in disaster, Sous Chef conjures a greater appreciation for the thought, care, and focus that go into creating memorable and delicious fare. With grit, wit, and remarkable prose, Michael Gibney renders a beautiful and raw account of this demanding and sometimes overlooked profession, offering a nuanced perspective on the craft and art of food and service. Praise for Sous Chef This is excellent writingexcellent!and it is thrilling to see a debut author who has language and story and craft so well in hand. Though I would never ask my staff to read my own book, I would happily require them to read Michael Gibneys.Gabrielle Hamilton [Michael] Gibney has the soul of a poet and the stamina of a stevedore. . . . Tender and profane, his book will leave you with a permanent appreciation for all those people who desire to feed, to nourish, to dish out the tasty bits of life.The New York Times Book Review A terrific nuts-and-bolts account of the real business of cooking as told from the trenches. No nonsense. This is what it takes.Anthony Bourdain A wild ride, not unlike a roller coaster, and the reader experiences all the drama, tension, exhilaration, exhaustion and relief that accompany cooking in an upscale Manhattan restaurant.USA Today Vibrantly written.Entertainment Weekly Sizzling . . . Such culinary experience paired with linguistic panache is a rarity.The Daily Beast Reveals the high-adrenaline dance behind your dinner.NPR From the Trade Paperback edition.
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LeslieO
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I wasn‘t sure how #BookSpinBingo would work out for me since I usually only read 5-7 books per month but I loved it! Great way to organize my reading and tackle the TBR. I read the #BookSpin, the #DoubleSpin and got a bingo. So fun! Can‘t wait for June! @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! Fantastic month!!! 3y
25 likes1 comment
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BibliOphelia
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Pickpick

A solid offering in the genre; I like the author‘s approach of focusing on a single day in the life. There are no surprises here for anyone who‘s read other kitchen memoirs, but the writing is sophisticated and engaging. The book has all the elements of a good meal - it‘s thoughtful, well-balanced, with spice and substance.

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BibliOphelia
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I like this explanation for why people put themselves through the torture of pursuing a career as a chef.

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BibliOphelia
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I totally get that restaurant kitchens are full of smokers, but it still boggles my mind. The author has a smoke, ‘tastes‘ a delicacy, and then goes and has another cigarette. How is he tasting anything?????

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thebluestocking
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Pickpick

I bought this on sale yesterday on a whim and could not put it down. I love TV chef shows, so I had some familiarity with the terminology (there‘s also a glossary to consult). I love behind the scenes books like this, and the second person day in the life approach worked really well.

thebluestocking P.S. It‘s still on sale for Kindle for $1.99! 7y
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Jschultzems
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Pickpick

An amazing behind the scenes look at 24 hrs in the life of a chef in a NYC restaurant. A glimpse into what a chef goes thru, what goes thru his head, and how they work together to ensure the best dining experience possible. The author doesn't shy away from industry terms but gives def's along the way so you're not lost in translation. An excellent read for any foodie, or anyone interested in what happens on the other side of the double doors.

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Dolly
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Pickpick

An overview of what goes on in a high end restaurant kitchen. It's quite educational too. Without realizing it I picked up a few cooking tips.

EloisaJames Sounds great! 7y
Dolly The language is not as salty as Bourdain's. Enjoy! 7y
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Reading_E
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Enjoying my loot over a pizza slice 🍕 and a beer 🍻 Bookstore tourism has to be the best kind of travel 😊that and foodie travel 😄or even better combined 😉

Dogearedcopy Oh! I love Seattle! I haven't been to the Elliot Bay Book Company since they moved; but I'm dying to get back up there! 😍 (edited) 7y
13 likes1 comment
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cocomass
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I'm only about a third of the way through but this book is lots of fun. #Goodreads reviews had me nervous but I'm loving the pace and the level of detail. We'll see if it's sustained through the rest of the book so far 👌🏽 #foodmemoir

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SarahK
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Pickpick

Michael Gibney tells what happens over the course of 24 hours as a sous chef in a high end restaurant. The timing for reading this was pretty appropriate too because the new season of Top Chef starts tonight (hence my man Tom Colicchio above). The book was intense, but I feel like I actually learned a lot while reading it.

KarenUK Love top chef! 8y
lynneamch Love Top Chef, too @KarenUK I listened to Padma's. Really interesting life! 8y
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Gleefulreader
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Pickpick

Sous Chef looks at the lives behind the kitchen doors by telling the story of a 24-hour period in the kitchen of an upscale restaurant. Told in the second person, there is an immediacy in the writing that compels you to keep reading. The book is at its best when it describes the preparation of food and the choreography of moving parts required to serve a full dining room, where it reads like poetry. The ending strays a bit, but still recommended.

31 likes7 stack adds
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Gleefulreader
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It's been a tough week and the Mr is away on business, so I've allowed the puppy the rare privilege of hanging in bed with me. With all the kitties, I have plenty to keep me warm and comforted.

(And the book is utterly fantastic, too!)

Texreader What a happy furry family! 8y
MMenefee I want to go to there. 😻🐶 8y
Bette 🐶 🐱🐱🐱💙❤️💜 8y
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Gabypen
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Sous Chef is the best foodie book I've read. More than just talk about food, it takes you through the journey of a chef. Bon appetite!🍴#septphotochallenge #day18 #somethingforsept #BKLovesLitsy

BooksForEmpathy Yep - this one was thrilling. 8y
MrBook Sounds interesting! Great pic! 8y
13 likes2 comments
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AileenRR
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Mehso-so

This is another one that I might have liked better reading rather than listening. Was fun to listen to the part when they were cooking while I was making dinner though. Like we were all cooking together