Beggars Belief

by Gerald Diffey

Gerald Diffey has spent four decades immersed in the world of food, wine and hospitality, from early days waiting tables in old English hotels to establishing two of the best places in the world to drink and eat: the award-winning Gerald's Bar in North Carlton--Heston Blumenthal described it as 'a proper, proper oldfashioned sort of bar' -- and Gerald's Bar in San Sebastian. Beggars Belief is a collection of funny, poignant, insightful and just plain ludicrous stories from Gerald's life in kitchens and behind bars: his formative years in the UK, memories of food and family; tales and tips from forty years of service; journeys and meals, people and places, from lunch on the side of a volcano in Sicily to dinner on a beach in East Timor; stories and recipes and drinks suggestions from North Carlton and San Sebastian; vignettes, slices of life, observations. 'Romance,' writes Gerald in the introduction. 'That's what I sell. Sensual pleasures. Sights, sounds, smells, touch, taste. Cyrano de Bergerac said: I have tried to live my whole life with panache. If I said that, I'd sound like a twat. But you get the drift. I'm off to bone some quails.'

Hardcover

Published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[Ana Radkova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Първо - благодаря на издателство "Прозорец" за превода, много много яко попадение. Качете си я в Гудриидс™ за да я видят сънародници.
Душата на баровете и ресторантите- това е цялата книжка, много съм щастлива с нея и ще си я купя някой ден за лична употреба и да я дам на някой, който после да не ми я върне защото иска да си я запази, но не ми казва (трябва да връщам книги на хора и да си присвоя отново моите)

Любими глави: Време за купон и Яйца "Фаберже" , Шотландски яйца ала Тони Каскарино, (всичко с яйца) овчарски пай по тайландски, подправки, Предсмъртният удар на вулкана,Раци и подправки, Крем за салата (все за храна дотук)

Блъди Мери ала Джейкъб е адски сладка. Всичките съвети за млади сервитьори са супер, Рускалката:Басня - о йес.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly entertaining, just what I needed. Gerald’s bar is just around the corner from my daughter have walked passed it many times. The net curtains always intrigued me! The Kent on the corner is great too!!

[Anton Forte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful stories about a life of working in hospitality - clever, beautiful & true.

[Essjayeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A warm, humourous and touching collection of recollections.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful & entertaining.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Other than his lefty nonsense a good fun read. His scicily experience ‘under the volcano’ much like my Sardinia and he married a southern Italian girl