Journal Entry 1 by Piiku from Parainen, Varsinais-Suomi Finland on Friday, January 21, 2011

Journal Entry 2 by potok-fan at Turku, Varsinais-Suomi Finland on Saturday, January 22, 2011

stf spotted this book at Pippis's party, and I sat looking over her shoulder while she leafed through it. I have seen several of these chefs on television, which added to the interest. We enjoyed the great variety of portrait photographs, and the even greater variety of answers given to the questions about each chef's dreams for their last meal. Some absolutely wanted to cook, some absolutely did not. Some wanted gourmet dishes or expensive ingredients, one (Laurent Tourondel) wanted junk food and one (Eric Ripert) wanted "a simple dish: a slice of toasted country bread, some olive oil, shaved black truffle, rock salt, and black pepper".

One new chef to me was José Andrés, from Asturias. He mentioned several delicacies I have tried, including percebes (gooseneck barnacles), fabada (the famous Asturian bean stew), and cider poured from high above the glass to oxygenate it. However, he was posing with olives, which seemed not to feature in the interview. Maybe olives are so obvious to a Spaniard that they don't even need mentioning! :)

Thanks for sharing, Piiku! 

Journal Entry 3 by seethroughfaith at Turku, Varsinais-Suomi Finland on Saturday, January 22, 2011

What a FUN coffee table book.

I did feel a bit ignorant as some of the foods they mentioned were completely unfamiiar to me ... but I liked looking at the photos and seeing why the author/photographer chose to portray the chef in that particular way

we (potokfan -who was looking over my shoulder -and I) spotted graviholi (gravlax) and pasta as hats :) which was fun!

Thanks Piiku and Pippis (for whom this book was destined) for sharing this experience ... and for the great Czech lunchtime-farewell-to-Savotar meet. So nice to see so many fellow bookcrossers again!

Edited to add - I found some of the chef's comments really interesting including the one who refused to be interviewed because of his fear of death (or however he put it) ... I was mildly irked that the book sort of suddenly stopped after that ... because the second half contains recipes from the chefs (which are in alphabetical order and not the order the chefs themselves are found in the first part. Why? Weird!)

and yes Piiku THAT picture was very weird ....  

Journal Entry 4 by pippis at Turku, Varsinais-Suomi Finland on Saturday, January 22, 2011

After having a wonderful day with a huge group of crossers and a hearty meal, I would like nothing better than going to bed with this book. Believe me, I'm going to read this book from cover to cover, take my time with the recipies and spare a thought or two to the question "What would you have for your last supper?". I can't believe that you actually could part with this book, Piiku. Thank you so much for your generosity!
Nine PM isn't too early for bed, is it..?