A Kid in a Candy Store

Books. I read them. I devour them. Some might complain I collect them (i.e. I purchase books even when I own plenty that have not had their spines cracked yet by my hands). And I am now drowning in them. A Central Park picnic surprise of Bourdain's "Nasty Bits" that I take with me on the train or to bed (because who doesn't want to read about blackberries swimming in seal blood or the go-to dives of Hell's Kitchen right before you are whisked away to Dreamland). A friendly loan of Ruhlman's "Soul of a Chef" where I find myself many times in public wincing in horror at the trials endured in becoming a Certified Master Chef or in running your own business. But where I also find myself nodding in agreement over the craft of this world I have decided to plop my feet firmly upon. And now I have before me, taunting me, enticing me, beckoning me ... Ruhlman's latest work ... "Ratio." A special purchase meant to be used as a supplementary textbook for the education I continue to provide myself.

Best Food Writing 2008

I walked in to Borders the other day with the intent of purchasing a book on how to strengthen non-fiction, memoir, etc. writing. Instead I walked out with "Best Food Writing 2008" edited by Holly Hughes.

Tales from the kitchen, the restaurant business, traveling through Singapore or Sweden, learning how to eat locally or ethically. The book covers it all. The best of all articles you can pull from websites, blogs, magazines, news shows, an email chain (maybe not the last but it could happen).

I highly recommend you check it out if what you enjoy most about food is the journey it takes you on and through and how in reading about anothers' you could feel inspired or feel as if you were right there trying to find the best boudin in Cajun country.

Suggested Reading

Check out the below link for an interview with Anne Mendelson, author of Milk: The Surprising Story of Milk Through the Ages. I am in the middle of reading this book and have to concur with the author of the article that reading the book is along the same lines of taking Milk 101. An interesting read with some fantastic recipes (I flip through the book constantly). Definitely a must read!

http://www.ediblemanhattan.com/content/index.php/issue-3/anne-mendelson.htm