The Soul of a Chef, Michael Ruhlman
The Soul of a Chef, Michael Ruhlman
2 Rating(s)
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The Soul of a Chef
The Journey toward Perfection

Author: Michael Ruhlman

Narrator: Donald Corren

Unabridged: 12 hr 14 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 05/13/2014

Categories: Nonfiction, Cooking

Synopsis

In his second in-depth foray into the world of professional cooking, Michael Ruhlman journeys into the heart of the profession. Observing the rigorous Certified Master Chef exam at the Culinary Institute of America, the most influential cooking school in the country, Ruhlman enters the lives and kitchens of rising star Michael Symon and the renowned Thomas Keller of the French Laundry. This fascinating book will satisfy any reader's hunger for knowledge about cooking and food, the secrets of successful chefs, at what point cooking becomes an art form, and more.Like Ruhlman's The Making of a Chef, this is an instant classic in food writing—one of the fastest growing and most popular subjects today.

About Michael Ruhlman

Michael Ruhlman is the author of eighteen books about food, cooking, and other subjects. His books include The Elements of Cooking and Ratio and chef Thomas Keller’s seminal The French Laundry Cookbook as well as a highly successful series about the training of chefs. He has worked at the New York Times and as a food columnist for the Los Angeles Times. He is attended the Culinary Institute of America.

About Donald Corren

Donald Corren is an audiobook narrator and a New York actor with leading credits on and Off-Broadway, as well as numerous television appearances. On Broadway, he costarred with Judy Kaye in the critically acclaimed production of Souvenir, and replaced Harvey Fierstein in the seminal production of Torch Song Trilogy. His Off-Broadway appearances include The Soap Myth, Dietrich & Chevalier, The Last Sunday in June, Stephen Sondheim’s Saturday Night, and the original New York production of Tomfoolery. His television credits include eight seasons as forensic tech Medill on NBC’s Law & Order, as well as his current role as Dr. Kurian on Syfy’s Z Nation.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Tony on January 18, 2012

If you are not a foodie, then move along, this book is not for you. I am a foodie, and so is my wife. She surprised me with this very cool book at Christmas. It is a non-fiction tale told in 3 parts: the first is about the Culinary Institute of America's (CIA) certified Master Chef examination; the......more

Goodreads review by Bruce on August 30, 2008

When I grow up, I want to be Michael Ruhlman. That guy gets to hang out with the best chefs and write about it. I'm jealous. Ruhlman's account of three chefs are more than just biography; he makes each story compelling and interesting. His account of Brian Polcyn taking the CMC examination kept me aw......more

Goodreads review by Schuyler on April 02, 2015

Ruhlman, from Ohio. Dude can write a food book.......more

Goodreads review by Lori on March 23, 2017

An enjoyable read for the serious foodie or those considering becoming a chef. The culinary details of the CIA's master chef certification test would frustrate and have vexed even the most serious cooks, so while I found the entire book enlightening, I can't imagine people that aren't seriously in t......more

Goodreads review by Johnny on May 30, 2010

Yes it is three essays tied into one, but I didn't feel they were disconnected at all and each one gets into the question of what makes a chef and how is it measured very well. I was very excited that everything I learned about cooking was synthesized here in this book by the words of some of the mo......more

Quotes

“A hold-your-breath-while-you-turn-the-page thriller that’s also an anthropological study of the culture of cooking.”

“A lively blend of reportage, reflection, and recipes…Ruhlman’s writing makes it come alive.”

“[The Soul of a Chef] has all the makings of a summer potboiler: suspense, intrigue, drama, pathos, and even a little humor.”

“A fine introduction to Ruhlman's writing.”

“Each section of the book is fascinating in itself, especially the introductory section on the Certified Master Chef exam, an ordeal of almost hellish intensity.”

“Following on his previous intimate look into the lives of students and teachers at the Culinary Institute of America, Ruhlman now examines those driven individuals who aspire to culinary perfection…Ruhlman has favorites among these ambitious kitchen monarchs, but that doesn’t detract from his ability to make the reader feel each slip of the knife, each lapse in reproducing a dish exactly as the legendary Escoffier would have presented it.”

Awards

  • New York Times Notable Book
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