The Apprentice

by Jaques Pépin

In this captivating memoir, the man whom Julia Child has called "the best chef in America" tells the story of his rise from a frightened apprentice in an exacting Old World kitchen to an Emmy Award-winning superstar who taught millions of Americans how to cook and shaped the nation's tastes in the bargain.

We see young Jacques as a homesick six-year-old boy in war-ravaged France, working on a farm in exchange for food, dodging bombs, and bearing witness as German soldiers capture his father, a fighter in the Resistance. Soon Jacques is caught up in the hurly-burly action of his mother's café, where he proves a natural. He endures a literal trial by fire and works his way up the ladder in the feudal system of France's most famous restaurant, finally becoming Charles de Gaulle's personal chef, watching the world being refashioned from the other side of the kitchen door.

When he comes to America, Jacques immediately falls in with a small group of as-yet-unknown food lovers, including Craig Claiborne, James Beard, and Julia Child, whose adventures redefine American food. Through it all, Jacques proves himself to be a master of the American art of earning a graduate degree from Columbia University, turning down a job as John F. Kennedy's chef to work at Howard Johnson's, and, after a near-fatal car accident, switching careers once again to become a charismatic leader in the revolution that changed the way Americans approached food. Included as well are approximately 40 all-time favorite recipes created during the course of a career spanning nearly half a century, from his mother's utterly simple cheese soufflé to his wife's pork ribs and red beans.

The Apprentice is the poignant and sometimes funny tale of a boy's coming of age. Beyond that, it is the story of America's culinary awakening and the transformation of food from an afterthought to a national preoccupation.

Genres: Nonfiction

Unknown Binding

Reviews

[Terry Ginther · Rating 5 out of 5]

My entire life, I always enjoyed watching Jacques on PBS and more recently YouTube, and along with Julia Child Care on her PBS shows. Until I read his memoir, I had no knowledge of his life story other than he’s French.

Jacques has a great memory and transports you back to the little French Villages he grew up in along with his parents and two brothers during WWII. You soon come to understand what a dedicated, hard working true professional chef he is, what he had to do to get where he is today and what family has meant to him throughout his life. You discover the challenges he had to overcome, which were many, and give you a new found respect for this amazing man.

Jacques transports you to the events throughout his life and shares details as though you were there sitting in the room with him.

He is truly a chef’s chef and has a knowledge of food and preparation unlike anyone else alive today. He has been at the forefront of the culinary world which continues up to the present day.

If you have any interest in the culinary world, you owe it to yourself to read Jacques story.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed watching Chef Pepin’s cooking shows on public television for decades and now watch his YouTube videos. Reading about his life, how he got started with cooking, and his amazing journey, have added to my appreciation of this fascinating man. He is a true entrepreneur and his ambition and passion led to a long and successful career. I received this book as a gift and am looking forward to trying some of the recipes he has included at the end of each chapter.

[Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a self proclaimed "foodie", I loved reading about Chef Jaques Pépin's life. At the end of each chapter he added a recipe. The one with roasted plum tomatoes made into a different type of Caprese salad was outstanding and I have made the tomatoes 3 times now and used in his Caprese, another salad, and recently chicken salad. If you want the recipe, let me know.

[Marie Halloran · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the story of Jacques interesting and enjoyed the twists and turns of his career informative. I personally don’t know how he can remember decades of food preparation, etc. but I guess the biggest negative was the ending of his book. I feel like he got to the point of not wanting to close it after a chapter of his life, but just stopping in mid-sentence.

[Lani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know what it is about food memoirs, but I like 'em. It's impressive when an author can write about dishes that I have never heard of with (some) ingredients I don't even know how to pronounce, and never plan to make, but still have his reader enjoy the book...

[Sharon Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the audio version, the printed version apparently has recipes, so I'm going to have to get that one too.

[Stephanie G. Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this memoir. Jaques life is full of such interesting experiences, and he shares some wonderful recipes that I can’t wait to try.

[Not U · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book.