"Kitchen Confidential" by Anthony Bourdain

Great book to dip in and out of. Of course, I've never heard of many of the restaurants and chefs he writes about, but after watching "Oui Chef" and other TV programmes set in retaurant kitchens, I feel he captures what it must "really" be like - i.e. hot, dirty, stressful and exhausting - very well indeed. And he's certainly been around a bit. I loved the chapter on brunch, and how it's just a way to use up leftovers, and I will definitely think twice about ordering fish on Mondays from now on. What I really like is that his PASSION for the whole business really comes across, it's almost inspirational, makes you want to pick up a big copper-bottomed pan and some knives and get cooking!!! On the downside, he's a bit of a legend in his own mind. Still, highly recommended for anyone who likes food and foodies. Now, where did I put the shallots?