What We're Reading: Rita

Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook by Anthony Bourdain

Touted as the follow-up to Kitchen Confidential, Medium Raw does indeed update readers on what Bourdain has been up to in the ten years since the publication of his mega-bestseller. And he’s been busy - divorce, remarriage, fatherhood, a departure from professional kitchens, and a new career as a writer and television star. Bourdain is still delightfully snarky as he skewers, with his usual profanity, the Food Network, Alice Waters, Sandra Lee, Alain Ducasse, Alan Richman, fast food in general and McDonald’s in particular, and the American beef industry, among others.

But – what’s this? – a delightful essay about the joys and worries of parenting his young daughter. Why, it could almost be described as “sweet”. And – can it be? – he actually has kind words for former targets Emeril Lagasse and Rachael Ray. Bourdain readily admits that the fame he acquired after the publication of Kitchen Confidential changed his life, and acknowledges his good fortune in both his personal and professional life. It hasn’t all been rosy, however, and he’s equally frank about the other side of his celebrity.

If you object to vulgarity and profanity, then this definitely isn’t the book for you. But if you’re a Bourdain fan, you know what to expect, and you’ll enjoy this latest offering.