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robinsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
There was nothing wrong with Crenn's memoir about her upbringing in France and how she found success in America but I wanted more details on the process of opening a new restaurant and how it operates. And even though her food isn't at all in my wheelhouse, I still wanted to hear more about the food she created and along with how she developed a menu.
I was hoping to recommend this to readers of Marcus Samuelsson's [b:Yes, Chef|13069213|Yes, Chef|Marcus Samuelsson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1329368167l/13069213._SY75_.jpg|18329805] and Anthony Bourdain's foodie titles but it felt a little flat. Those who liked Phyllis Grant's short memoir, [b:Everything Is Under Control: A Memoir with Recipes|49700394|Everything Is Under Control A Memoir with Recipes|Phyllis Grant|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1563329923l/49700394._SX50_SY75_.jpg|70730362] might enjoy it.
Thanks to the publisher for the advance digital reading copy although my review is based on the published print book so I could see the photos.
I was hoping to recommend this to readers of Marcus Samuelsson's [b:Yes, Chef|13069213|Yes, Chef|Marcus Samuelsson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1329368167l/13069213._SY75_.jpg|18329805] and Anthony Bourdain's foodie titles but it felt a little flat. Those who liked Phyllis Grant's short memoir, [b:Everything Is Under Control: A Memoir with Recipes|49700394|Everything Is Under Control A Memoir with Recipes|Phyllis Grant|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1563329923l/49700394._SX50_SY75_.jpg|70730362] might enjoy it.
Thanks to the publisher for the advance digital reading copy although my review is based on the published print book so I could see the photos.
akamm's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 but rounding down because overall I felt kind of neutral about this book. I also listened to the audio book version so that may have impacted my enjoyment.
I was excited to pick up this book because I really like food culture and Dominique Crenn is a badass. This book is pretty short so it's easy to get through and Crenn has had an interesting life. Her experiences in different kitchens, especially her time in Indonesia, were insightful. The book really shines in part 3 where the reader gets to see where Crenn is now. I enjoyed learning about her commitment to food, sustainability, and activism.
In all, if you like books about chefs or short, easy reads, this is probably a book you'd enjoy.
I was excited to pick up this book because I really like food culture and Dominique Crenn is a badass. This book is pretty short so it's easy to get through and Crenn has had an interesting life. Her experiences in different kitchens, especially her time in Indonesia, were insightful. The book really shines in part 3 where the reader gets to see where Crenn is now. I enjoyed learning about her commitment to food, sustainability, and activism.
In all, if you like books about chefs or short, easy reads, this is probably a book you'd enjoy.
sarah_thrive's review against another edition
3.0
I love Dominique Crenn's restaurants and her overall aesthetic.
So, why didn't I love this book?
Crenn is known for acknowledging and laughing off people's initial impression of her as being pretentious. So I figured that when the first chapter made me think, "Man, she sounds pretentious," the feeling would quickly dissipate over the next few pages. Sadly, it never did.
Having experienced Crenn speak and create in other contexts, I really believe she is more eccentric and sensitive than affected. For some reason, though, the whimsical-meets-down-to-earth vibe I consistently get from this chef did not come across in writing. The whole book felt... contrived?
Maybe it's the co-author's fault (though I feel like a jerk for throwing Brockes under the bus).
Whatever the reason, I was surprised to really not like this one.
So, why didn't I love this book?
Crenn is known for acknowledging and laughing off people's initial impression of her as being pretentious. So I figured that when the first chapter made me think, "Man, she sounds pretentious," the feeling would quickly dissipate over the next few pages. Sadly, it never did.
Having experienced Crenn speak and create in other contexts, I really believe she is more eccentric and sensitive than affected. For some reason, though, the whimsical-meets-down-to-earth vibe I consistently get from this chef did not come across in writing. The whole book felt... contrived?
Maybe it's the co-author's fault (though I feel like a jerk for throwing Brockes under the bus).
Whatever the reason, I was surprised to really not like this one.
bbx's review against another edition
3.0
Loved the parts where Crenn described her childhood and the way she thinks about how she constructs a dish and the concept for Atelier Crenn. I’m not sure why this is a memoir as it seems like Crenn wanted to rush through the middle 25 years of her life in this book. Lots of potentially interesting parts of her life gets hand-waved aside and if those were included, I’d feel more excited about finishing this book. It’s also criminal they didn’t put in any pictures of the dishes she’s conceptualised.
vidyareads's review
informative
reflective
fast-paced
I had heard of Dominique Crenn from the Netflix show Chef’s Table. The first female chef in the United States with three Michelin stars !
An easy to read memoir, less than 250 pages, took me two days. I learnt of her adoption from an orphanage, making the bold decision to move to San Francisco from France with no formal cooking school degrees, getting her first job at the Stars restaurant just by asking the chef Jeremiah Tower and her culinary journey with the outstanding accomplishment of her three Michelin stars at her restaurant Atelier Crenn named after her dad.
After the book was over I watched the episode again. I was reminded of why I wanted to read her book. A fierce lady with guts to leave France and come to San Francisco in her early 20s with an ambition to become a chef.
I don’t say this often but I really think you need to do both, watch the show and read the book to know her, somewhat. The show has her exquisitely beautiful food which you can’t see in the book but the book on the other hand gets us a glimpse of other things like the people she met both professionally and personally, a log of her job to job move, but more importantly finding love amidst Cancer.
Now why did I say somewhat ? Because, even though I’ve watched the show (twice) and read the book, I still don’t know her completely. Like there’s more to know, I like that mystery. And if I ever go back to visit San Francisco I’d love to eat in her restaurant !!
An easy to read memoir, less than 250 pages, took me two days. I learnt of her adoption from an orphanage, making the bold decision to move to San Francisco from France with no formal cooking school degrees, getting her first job at the Stars restaurant just by asking the chef Jeremiah Tower and her culinary journey with the outstanding accomplishment of her three Michelin stars at her restaurant Atelier Crenn named after her dad.
After the book was over I watched the episode again. I was reminded of why I wanted to read her book. A fierce lady with guts to leave France and come to San Francisco in her early 20s with an ambition to become a chef.
I don’t say this often but I really think you need to do both, watch the show and read the book to know her, somewhat. The show has her exquisitely beautiful food which you can’t see in the book but the book on the other hand gets us a glimpse of other things like the people she met both professionally and personally, a log of her job to job move, but more importantly finding love amidst Cancer.
Now why did I say somewhat ? Because, even though I’ve watched the show (twice) and read the book, I still don’t know her completely. Like there’s more to know, I like that mystery. And if I ever go back to visit San Francisco I’d love to eat in her restaurant !!
erynecki's review against another edition
5.0
Rebel Chef traces Crenn’s unusual trajectory into the role of chef. A quick read that shares the story of her adoption, traditional French upbringing, and her decision to come to San Francisco and how her various food choices and work opportunities set her down a unique path.
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