The Kitchen and the Cook

by Nicolas Freeling

Nicolas Freeling, best known for producing some of the finest of modern crime fiction, began his working life as an apprentice cook in a large French hotel, and continued cooking professionally for many years. Here is his memoir drawn from these experiences, a blend of the culinary and the literary, and includes recipes.

Genres: Food, Memoir, Nonfiction, Cooking, Culinary, Food and Drink, Food Writing

350 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1970

About the author

Nicolas Freeling born Nicolas Davidson, (March 3, 1927 - July 20, 2003) was a British crime novelist, best known as the author of the Van der Valk series of detective novels which were adapted for transmission on the British ITV network by Thames Television during the 1970s.

Freeling was born in London, but travelled widely, and ended his life at his long-standing home at Grandfontaine to the west of Strasbourg. He had followed a variety of occupations, including the armed services and the catering profession. He began writing during a three-week prison sentence, after being convicted of stealing some food.[citation needed]

Freeling's The King of the Rainy Country received a 1967 Edgar Award, from the Mystery Writers of America, for Best Novel. He also won the Gold Dagger of the Crime Writers' Association, and France's Grand Prix de Littérature Policière.

From Wikipedia

Series:
* Van Der Valk
* Henri Castang

Reviews

[Emily D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Touted as the book that inspired Anthony Bourdain, I found it interesting but hard to follow with metaphors that just keep coming at you with a rapidity that made me actually nervous. All the quirky characters made it fun to read.

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

Entertaining snapshots of life as a cook in the old French ‘System’. Frequently referred to in Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential.

[Avis Black · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the few culinary memoirs I've read that was---genuinely distasteful. There are better memoirs out there.

[Aya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry Mr. Bourdain, this book didn't quench my thirst as an entertaining read. I did not finish reading it.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written tour of the kitchens of Europe as a working cook, 2nd half is about how to cook. Both tales are told in a conversational manner, that speaks directly to the reader.

[Cornelia Prescott]

Like most of Mr. Freeling's books this has a sprightly pace and offers charm and intrigue.

[craige]

Recommended by Bourdain in Kitchen Confidential.