Reviews tagging 'Drug use'

Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdain

57 reviews

kellyofcali's review against another edition

challenging dark funny informative inspiring tense medium-paced

4.0

I really enjoyed this book - it's interesting, while I was very aware OF Anthony Bourdain, I don't think I knew much about him, and this is very much him unfiltered (or feels that way) - which both makes you like him more, and less, and feel very sad for what eventually happened to him. It's both a great book for people who love food and restaurants and a terrible one, as it's very honest (and often gross) but the man just loves food.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Blood, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Addiction, Violence, Toxic friendship, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, and Drug use

Minor: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

emma_ekb's review

adventurous funny informative medium-paced

4.25

this is a result of my recent anthony bourdain hyperfixation. i learned a lot, laughed a lot. i loved hearing it from bourdain himself. first half was super strong, second half started to drag 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Drug use, Alcohol, and Drug abuse

mandaraffe's review

dark funny lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Medical content, Sexual harassment, Racism, Xenophobia, Fatphobia, Blood, Cursing, Sexism, Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Sexual content

Moderate: Animal death and Racial slurs

Minor: Suicide

thesubwayreader's review against another edition

dark funny fast-paced

4.0

I'm 22 years late to reading this book, but I'm glad that I finally did. Anthony Bourdain was a decent writer - his language is evocative and really puts you in the place and time he's writing about. I knew that Bourdain was the chef at Les Halles (it's been renamed to La Brasserie) before he became a television person, but I never knew just how rocky his start was in the industry. I liked how he differentiates between his cheffing style and how others chefs run their kitchens - none are wrong, just different. I've never worked in a restaurant or in the food service industry, but I have a greater appreciation for those who make my food and serve it after reading this. My one takeaway: the specials aren't necessarily special at all! 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Blood, Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicide, Toxic friendship, and Alcoholism

kumquats87's review against another edition

adventurous funny informative fast-paced

4.5

Reading this just reminded me of how much I miss his unique voice.

Also, don’t order the fish on Mondays.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Alcoholism, Blood, Drug use, Addiction, Alcohol, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Bullying, Gaslighting, and Classism

Minor: Excrement, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, and Sexism

maxmanga's review against another edition

adventurous funny medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use and Addiction

lindsayerin's review against another edition

adventurous funny informative medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Emotional abuse, and Homophobia

Moderate: Sexism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Alcoholism, and Alcohol

justacurse's review against another edition

dark funny informative medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Racial slurs, Bullying, Cursing, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, Drug use, and Racism

vulco1's review against another edition

adventurous funny informative reflective fast-paced

3.5

This book wasn't necessarily for me.  It's an interesting mix of autobiography and kitchen expose.  I would have preferred more of the biography than the expose, but it is what it is.

Still enjoyed.  It was a good book for book club.  Funny, enlightening.  Learned a bit.  4 really good chapters and the rest I probably could have taken or left.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Alcohol

art_books_chemistry's review

emotional funny informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.75

Must read for anyone who has worked in the food business if they want to affirm the fact that every kitchen is equally as insane as theirs! Alright, maybe they aren't all completely crazy but there are definitely common adult themes in a lot of them. And Kitchen Confidential is FULL of adult themes. If you're squeamish about sex, drugs, cursing, or blood I recommend steering away from this. Granted if those are true, I'd avoid commercial kitchens in general. 

I do also recommend this book to all those who have never worked in a kitchen and are at all curious about what goes on. Bourdain gives some interesting tips on what he will or will not eat depending on whether he knows the chef or not. Like which days you should or shouldn't order the fish. 

I loved listening to Anthony Bourdain read this book himself even if it was a bit depressing at the same time. It was sad to hear that he overcame so much addiction and issues over the course of his life just for him to ultimately lose the battle with himself. There is a certain amount of self-deprecating humor that allows you to see some of where his head was at in hind sight. 

Highly recommend this book (especially listening to Bourdain reading it)!! I did take off the smallest amount of star because he says "mise en place" Way. Too. Much. My (chef) Mom laughed when I said that and said clearly I didn't work with my Uncle much. Anyway, Read this! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Gore, Medical content, Sexual content, Alcohol, Blood, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Racial slurs