Just started reading. A memoir about cooking in Tuscany

I tried to journal this before, but it didn't take.

I got this as part of a bookray. The participant list (from the note inside the book):

msjoanna -- me!
bookpatch
suedo
daisyflower123
okyrhoe

I'll get to this soon, then send it along to bookpatch.

I really wanted to like this book more than I did. In general, I like food writing, am interested in the world of professional kitchens and professional chefs, and enjoy reading about others' voyages to perfect certain recipes or food preparation methods. But Bill Buford is just no Jeffrey Steingarten (author of the wonderful food essays in Vogue magazine and essay collections: The Man Who Ate Everything and It Must Have Been Something I Ate). Buford seems to have no real sense of humor in his descriptions.

The book also seemed rather disorganized and disjointed. Though it was divided into sections, it didn't stick to them and stories of Batali continued to be interspersed throughout the book. Still, I picked up some interesting food tidbits and generally enjoyed the story of Buford's travels through different kitchen settings. If you haven't read Steingarten's books, I'd recommend those instead of this one.

(mailed 7/19/08 - sorry for the slight delay in mailing)

Received today, thank you!

Really a story about a discipleship, as the author follows in the culinary footsteps of larger-than-life chef Mario Batali (whose fans would love this book). I learned a lot about the pressures of a professional kitchen, and, in the process, about rustic Italian cooking as well. Favorite parts: descriptions of the line-cook stations, and the journey of the pig from farm to Bill's home. Thank you for sharing with us!

Suedo asked to be skipped, so have pm'd daisyflower123.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Mailed to daisyflower. Enjoy!

Arrived a couple of days ago. Thanks. Looking forward to reading it.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Unfortunately, I just couldn't make time to read this one. That's why I passed it on to the next person on the reading list.

Arrived today, and it's just what I need. It's snowing outside and the office building ran out petroleum! While waiting for the delivery truck, we'll try to stay warm with this aptly titled book!

(By the way, daisyflower123, since it look's like I'm last on the list, I can send the book back to you again when I'm done. So let me know when you'll have time for it, in case you want to give it another try.)