The title says it all. Life, on the Line: A Chef’s Story of Chasing Greatness, Facing Death, and Redefining the Way We Eat by Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas is really a book in three parts. It’s the memoir of an ambitious kid who worked his way from his parents’ diner to The French Laundry to breaking out on his own. It’s also the tale of Alinea – one of the best restaurants in the country – complete with the nitty gritty details of what it really takes to build a restaurant from scratch. Finally, the book is about a personal battle with cancer, as well as a chef’s struggle with losing his sense of taste. Life, on the Line is a story of perseverance, determination, and excellence. Continue reading “On My Shelf: Life, On the Line”
Category: On My Shelf
On My Shelf: Eat Where You Live
For this month’s Kitchen Reader book club (get more info here if you’d like to join!) we had a choice of two books: either Eat Where You Live: How to Find and Enjoy Fantastic Local and Sustainable Food No Matter Where You Live by Lou Bendrick or Just Food: Where Locavores Get it Wrong and How We Can Truly Eat Responsibly by James E McWilliams (chosen by Julie of Savvy Eats). Although I was leaning at first towards Just Food, after reading the reviews on Amazon it seemed like this book might frustrate more than enlighten me so I opted for the much shorter, lighter read, Eat Where You Live. If you are brand new to the concept of eating local and interested but intimidated by the concept, then this is a good primer. But it’s just that: a very basic primer. Continue reading “On My Shelf: Eat Where You Live”
On My Shelf: Spiced
I have been wanting to start this series for some time now. I’ve had the name – On My Shelf – picked out and ready. The idea was to start writing reviews and reflections on all of the cookbooks and food-related books that I read. Lord knows I read enough of them! But it took joining The Kitchen Reader to whip me into shape and actually start posting. The Kitchen Reader is an online book club made up of over 30 bloggers. Each month one member selects a food-related book to read and, rather than discussing it, everyone posts their reviews and responses at the end of the month. This is my first month and I am so excited to take part! Continue reading “On My Shelf: Spiced”
Blog Birthday and My First Giveaway!
I know that I just had an anniversary – a few days ago I celebrated one year of living in Israel. Well, less than a week later I started my blog with this short entry. I wasn’t entirely new to food blogging. Before I began writing about food professionally I had a pre-Julie and Julia makeshift blog with blurry photographs. I’ve come a long way. I like to think that I’ve come a long way even since starting my blog a year ago. I wanted to do something special to celebrate – and to thank all ofthe wonderful folks from all over the world who take time to come by and see what I’m up to. So I decided to host a giveaway! Continue reading “Blog Birthday and My First Giveaway!”