This was a really fun read, great for a vacation. The Apprentice is an enjoyable memoir of a chef who grows up in France during and after WWII, works his way up through French kitchens, and has a fascinating career as a chef, writer, and television personality here in the U.S. He was the head chef for General Charles de Gaulle, for heaven's sake!
If you are not a fan of food fiction or memoirs, this may not be the book for you. There's tons of mouthwatering food descriptions, funny stories, and really interesting facts: for example, even though Pepin dropped out of school in France when he was thirteen and came to America barely speaking English, he went back to school in the U.S. (Columbia) and nearly completed a Ph.D in French literature! Who knew?
And the funny bits are really funny. I was seriously laughing out loud in parts, which I did not expect at all. I've never watched any of Pepin's TV shows but I'll have to see if the library has any -- I need to see if he's as funny on camera as he is in the book. I must also point out that sections of this book are not for hardcore vegans/vegetarians, or for the faint of heart. The French are well known for charcuterie, and for using up every possible bit of an animal. Some of the descriptions about butchering animals might be offensive.
However, I loved this book. My only complaint is that I really wish it was longer -- it seemed like there was so much of his life story that was barely skimmed. I'd have loved to learn more about his friendship with other chefs, like Julia Child. And there are recipes and an index, so this book is really much shorter than 336 pages.
And what's sort of sad is that while I was reading portions of this book, full of recipes and descriptions of fantastic-sounding food, I was trapped on an airplane eating a dry, overpriced sandwich. If you are going to read this, please make sure that you have already made plans to go out for a fabulous meal, or have all kinds of snacks at the ready. I'm not talking about chips and salsa or any kind of salty snack ending in "ito." You need pate and cornichons and crusty bread and cheeses and probably a nice glass of wine or something similar -- preferably something you can eat without too much fuss, since you'll need extra hands to turn the pages. Trust me, this is one delicious memoir.
You know, this probably wouldn't work for me, but it's fun to hear you get excited about it. :)
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot of food in it, but I think it's so much more than this fabulous dish and that one -- Pepin talks a lot about the trends of food and eating in this country that I found so interesting. I would love to know what he thinks of The Food Network and Top Chef and the "foodie" craze. His life is really interesting. Now I need to watch all his old TV shows with Julia Child, and read her memoir also.
ReplyDeleteThanks for drawing my attention to this book, Karen. I believe it's one that I would enjoy. Some of the books on my cookbook shelf are not recipe books, as such, but food histories of particular periods or books about national cuisines.
ReplyDeleteChristine -- I find food history so interesting. I really enjoyed The History of the World in Six Glasses, which traces the impact of beverages: beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea, and cola. I also want to read Salt: A World History. Which food histories do you recommend?
ReplyDeleteI haven't watched any of his TV shows either, but think I would still love this book! If you haven't already read My Life in France by Julia Child, I'd highly recommend it.
ReplyDeleteJoAnn -- I do have My Life in France, it's up at the top of my to-read list. Ever since I saw Julie & Julia I've been so interested in her life -- the Cooking Channel is airing some of her old shows and I have a bunch saved on the DVR.
ReplyDeleteI'm so impressed that you cooked professionally for a while. I'm the worst cook in all the land, not just because I'm genuinely terrible at cooking, but because it stresses me out and I get really snappy and mean. Hence I do not read food memoirs that often--they only make me feel bad about myself! :p
ReplyDeleteAlthough I don't enjoy cooking at all, I love reading about food and cooking. This sounds like the best thing since reading M.F.K. Fisher!
ReplyDeleteJenny - It was very cool to have worked as a professional chef but I have to admit it's not the same as cooking at home, which is basically a chore. It's much more interesting when you have a professional kitchen with all the supplies and ingredients you need, plus you get paid for it, praise, etc. It's not the same as cooking at home when it's eaten up in about 30 minutes and then you're stuck with all the dishes as well. Note that food memoirs aren't usually about what people cook at home -- it's usually for someone else, at a job or for friends who appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteJeanne -- I have a big fat copy of Fisher's The Art of Eating, but I've barely touched it. However, I did hear one of her essays about a meal in France on NPR's Selected Shorts. It was narrated by Christina Pickles and it's one of the funniest things I've ever heard.
It sounds like you would love The Art of Eating--it's Fisher at her best, and mostly about French food.
ReplyDeleteThis book is definitely going on my Xmas list for my sister-in-law--hopefully she'll lend it to me when she's done.
ReplyDeleteI loved your story about reading this book while choking down fake food.
Jeanne, I definitely want to read it. With some good snacks and a glass of wine by my side!
ReplyDeleteJane -- it's so ironic how I love to read about good food and some of the stuff I eat is so terrible. NY Times writer Amanda Hesser wrote a great food memoir with recipes called Cooking for Mr. Latte, and she says she always brings great food on airplanes because she's afraid of flying -- she doesn't want her last meal to be airplane food. I wish I was that organized when I travel. Sigh.