Catching Hell: The Insider Story of Seafood from Ocean to Plate

by Allen Ricca, Joe Muto

In Catching Hell, longtime seafood mogul Allen Ricca and author Joe Muto take readers behind the scenes of the high-end restaurant world and the international market for seafood, and how that industry has been impacted perhaps like no other due to the COVID-19 pandemic.This book exposes the fact that the American diner is being lied to on a regular basis. The culprit varies – sometimes it’s a chef or restaurant owner trying to cut corners to save money; other times it’s an unscrupulous supplier looking to pass off poor product to an unwitting receiver. And the cost of that scam eventually gets passed on to the consumer, whether it be in the form of higher prices at restaurants and markets, lower quality (or even counterfeit) product getting delivered onto your plate, or – God forbid – food poisoning. Furthermore, Ricca argues, the pandemic has only increased corruption in this industry.This book serves as both an exposé and a call to arms, empowering consumers with the knowledge to make more informed choices when dining out. Some of the things this explosive book one fish you should never order, one that’s always a rip-off. (And the one fish that’s always a delicious, virtually-unknown bargain.)Why restaurants that advertise “fresh” fish are almost always lying.How to get your favorite restaurant to treat you like royalty – without dropping thousands of dollars.How the covid-19 pandemic has impacted our food supply chain and what it has meant for the everyday worker. 

Genres: Food, Nonfiction

216 pages, Hardcover

Published May 17, 2022

Reviews

[Alex Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastically-written and I learned a lot!

[Allan Bernard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fish/restaurant : book, somehow doesn't seem to be put together quite right or needs a different title. The book seems more about restaurants than fish, although some interesting insights to buying or ordering fish in a restaurant was enlightening. I enjoyed the book.

Somehow doesn't seem put together quite right. Was more about restaurants than fish, although, they were good points about buying and ordering fish in a restaurant. I liked the part about being the persistent salesperson. I enjoyed the book. Like

[MaryCate · Rating 2 out of 5]

skimmed this for research but I’m marking it as read 🫢

[Mary Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Scribd Audio

I thought this would be more contextual, covering global seafood practices and their implications. In reality, it was a seafood supplier’s nepo baby convincing himself he’s the consumer Superman and much more trustworthy and hardworking than anyone else in the industry. Like yes, it’s nice you’re telling us these things, and some of these were interesting facts (that earns you two stars). But the entire cadence annoyed me.

[Brent · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'd hoped to get a glimpse into the industry; instead it was the author's ego buff telling people how hard working, cool and rich he was. I've often found that the people who brag the most are actually the least worthy of it and this guy seems a prime example of a blowhard who is more impressed by himself than anyone else is....

[Lauren O'Shaughnessy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super fun, informative read on the inside scoop of the seafood and restaurant world. I’m definitely walking away with some new knowledge in regards to the types of establishments I visit and the types of fish I buy!

[Emily Ricca · Rating 5 out of 5]

So intriguing! Makes me rethink every menu and dining experience. Such an informative and entertaining read!

[Babz G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learned so much about the inside world of seafood and restaurants/hotels industry. The writing style made me feel like I was chatting with the author. Highly recommend to anyone who eats😉

[Brian Kong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Consumed this book while loitering at a Barnes and Noble. Ricca's storytelling is informal and frank. I wish the book pointed more fingers and exposed more seafood secrets, but this book was both entertaining and informative.

[Carina Treitl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is way more than a book exposing the seafood industry. The author’s tone and sense of humor made it hard to put down. Loved every single bit!