Down and Out In Padstow and London by Alex Watts

by Alex Watts

A humorous account of what really happens behind the scenes of both Michelin-starred restaurants and lesser establishments - and the extraordinary, larger-than-life characters who inhabit them. The book begins with Lennie Nash's decision to give up his job as a journalist, aged 40, and a fateful meeting with Rick Stein, when the cheffing door is opened. There follow stints in the kitchens at Padstow, a failed audition for Masterchef, work as a commis chef under a crazed ex-football hooligan, 16-hour shifts as a kitchen slave in a gastropub, and the rigours of the Fat Duck. Unable to keep up with the younger chefs around him, he gives up the dream and returns to office life, only to find the itch starting again...The book is aimed at the umpteen armchair chefs and foodies who would love to learn the trade first-hand from the professionals, braving the stress, 16-hour days, and low pay of kitchen life, but are far too sensible to do so.

Genres: Food, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published December 23, 2011

About the author

Alex Watts is an author and sometime cook, currently eating and writing his way around SE Asia.

He has written for TV, radio and national newspapers in the UK, America and Australia. He also writes the blog Chef Sandwich - a journal of his food and travel writing.

His first book, Down And Out In Padstow And London, is a humorous account of what really happens behind the scenes of both Michelin-starred restaurants and lesser establishments - and the extraordinary, larger-than-life characters who inhabit them.

It's aimed at the umpteen armchair chefs and foodies who would love to learn the trade first-hand from the professionals, braving the stress, 16-hour days, and low pay of kitchen life, but are far too sensible to do so...

The sequel is Down And Out In South East Asia - an adventure story, spiked with a heavy dose of backpacker noir, through the eateries, street food stalls, and hazy bars of Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam...

Reviews

[Bethia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this more than I did. There are some fun descriptions but not enough meat on the bones of the story. I felt like I'd read the same story before and there's too much tedious description of recipes/chopping techniques without making them actual recipes or instructions.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sceptical that everything written was true, but well-composed. Could have been presented more enticingly with a recipe format interspersed, since a lot of detail has been put into cooking techniques and such. Nothing ground-breaking but not a bore at all.

[Laura Kemp · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone who has dreams of cheffing, this will put them right off. Funny anti-hero reveals what kitchens are really like.

[Derek Rudge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny read about the horrors and highs of kitchen life. Well-written and sharp, it's a page turner and very difficult to put down. The sequel Down And Out In South East Asia is just as good.

[Akiko · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really enjoyed it. it was kind of revelation for me since i was always curious about what is all about being a chef in this crazy foodie culture in the uk and elsewhere.

[Rhino75 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very entertaining little gem - recommended!

[Alan Fricker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alright really. Mostly makes me want to read Kitchen Confidential again