Four Kitchens: My Life Behind the Burner in New York, Hanoi, Tel Aviv, and Paris

The book is well written and compelling reading. The author works in 4 very different kitchens in 4 different countries - from molecular gastronomy in New York to eating street food in Vietnam. You get a glimpse of the disconnect between becoming a chef because you love cooking and feeding others and the sheer drudgery of preparing food in a high-end kitchen.

I enjoyed this book a lot. It's about Ms. Shockey's time interning at four different restaurants in NYC, Vietnam, Tel Aviv and Paris. I was really shocked about her time in Paris. I've learned a lot reading about different cultures and liked that there were recipes after each chapter.

I have recently started reading more and more different kind of memoirs and when I saw this one for review I decided to go for it. While it doesn't hold me rapt like my currently favorite, travel memoirs, it definitely added a different take to what I have been reading. I loved the author's attention to detail through out the story and even though the book ended the way it did you can feel the author's passion for food in every page.

I enjoyed the recipes from Ms. Shockey's travels, she includes quite a few beautiful looking recipes at the end of each chapter which will make this book for many a kitchen friend instead of a book to sit on the library shelf. I enjoyed meeting each new character with the author, she has a flare for people show more like she does for food.

Now, you are wondering why only three stars. The book is well written but just a good story. It didn't make me jump up and down and feel the emotions that the author felt as she traveled to a new place, made a new dish, or got hurt in her path to find love. I wanted these things but...they never showed. show less

http://www.libraryjournal.com/lj/ljinprintcurrentissue/889862-403/science__techn...
Shockey, Lauren. Four Kitchens: My Life Behind the Burner in New York, Hanoi, Tel Aviv, and Paris. Grand Central. Jul. 2011. c.352p. ISBN 9780446559874. $24.99. COOKING
Shockey, a graduate of the French Culinary Institute and a food writer for the Village Voice and other publications, has penned a memoir of her time working as an unpaid kitchen apprentice in four different countries. Even with college credentials, she quickly learns that real-life experience is an entirely different type of education. Despite meeting fascinating people, she finds that working in a restaurant is often hours of tedious chores, regardless of the establishment’s reputation show more or cuisine. Also intriguing are her adventures exploring her surroundings, as she samples the native fare at out-of-the-way eateries that residents frequent. Most of these tales are pleasurable, an almost vicarious feast for the reader, but a few are a bit unsettling, such as Shockey’s resolution to eat dog in Vietnam. VERDICT This interesting blend of history, culture, cooking, and travel is highly recommended for any lover of literary travel writing. Those who enjoy cooking will learn through her experiences and be inspired to try Shockey’s kitchen-friendly recipes featuring the spices and flavors she discovers along the way. [See Prepub Alert, 1/10/11.]—Jane Hebert, Orange Cty. Lib. Syst., Orlando, FL show less

This is a book for foodies. If you are not into food and restaurants, if you are not fascinated by how a professional chef works, how a restaurant kitchen is run you might find it boring. It is fun to read but it left me unsatisfied. A good read.

This book was one of the first novels I read about life in a professional kitchen. I haven't read Kitchen Confidential or any of its genre (I gather there are many!) so this was a new topic for me. I am much more appreciative of the behind the scenes effort put into restaurant meals. I will take not of the cute garnishes on my plate - someone may have spent several hours ensuring they are quite perfect! I enjoyed the format - very similar to 'Lunch in Paris'. It was also interesting to read, albeit brief descriptions, about cuisine in Vietnam and Israel - two places I have not been. A good read - it follows on some of more recent reads "Lunch in Paris", "Kitchen Chinese" ,"Last Chinese Chef" and "The Road Home".

Overall a very easy & show more informative read. I look forward to making a few of the recipes. show less

I love books about food!