A Taste of My Life

by Raymond Blanc

This is the culinary autobiography of one of Britain’s most admired chefs and owner of the Michelin-starred restaurant Le Manoir near Oxford. Woven into stories from Blanc’s years in the food business is a passionate appeal for sustainable cuisine.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

383 pages, Hardcover

First published October 10, 2008

About the author

Raymond Blanc is a celebrity chef from Rural Franche-Comté, France, who runs a chain of restaurants in the UK, several of which have received Michelin stars. His ingenuity, passion and French Charm have also landed him several noteworthy series on the BBC.

Reviews

[Chris Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raymond Blanc's charm and dedication to his craft simply leap out from the pages! Peppered with humorous anecdotes and spiced with his struggle to make it big in the food business, this is a well-written and illuminating memoir. You might even be tempted to try one of his recipes!

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book as Blanc has a way of describing food preparation and the setting. The overall effect is mouth watering. His anecdotes have been entertaining and his experience, insightful. It is a book that leaves me with a sweet after taste. Highly recommended for foodies or those who are interested in the workings of restaurants.

[Rachel Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolute joy to read. From his life in Besançon as a child to running his acclaimed and multi award winning Le Manoir, this book was a food lovers delight. Filled with beautiful anecdotes and fabulous recipes I was sad to read the last page. What an absolute legend.
Merci Msr Blanc, this is in my top 10 favorite reads.

[Spela Ankele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Življenjepis, kulinarika. Francija, Anglija. Za kuharje, chefe in vse, ki jih zanima gastronomija. Odgovori na vprašanje, zakaj nekdo - v tem primeru Raymond Blanc - kuha tako, kot kuha, in ustvarja točno tiste jedi, ki so povezane z njim. Bonus: recepti. Tistega za kruh in onega za češnjev klafuti uporabim ob prvi priložnosti.

[Elisabeth Do Lam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just read this book over a summer weekend and enjoyed its content. Maybe it is because I can relate to the author's home region, Franche-Comte and his home country France. It is an entertaining book about Raymond Blanc's odyssey to become a successful and Michelin-acknowledged chef. It is well written to keep reading, and the way he describes in detail the recipes he created or the ones his mother cooked, is simply mouth-watering. It made me want to buy fresh tomatoes, shallots and red wine vinegar right away and eat tomato salads for a few days! He comes across as quite genuine, in his zest, ambitions and mistakes. Although I noticed some inferiority complex and a repeating need to justify himself which could be sometimes annoying. Maybe because of his unusual career path for a chef, since he didn't go to a cooking school, but instead worked up his way? Well, this is even more remarkable, Monsieur Blanc - so there is no need for justification. Overall, Raymond Blanc comes across as sympathetic and respectful (towards others) which makes it easier to identify with him while reading. The language is simple, yet well written. Truly a book about the love for food, French cuisine and the ambition of a self-made chef who achieved success and fame thanks to his hard work.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part selective memoirs, part food philosophy, part practical cookbook - practical if you're Raymond Blanc that is! The writing, unlike his souffles, is rather leaden but enlivend wih some humorous anecdotes. Interesting but somewhat like nouvelle cuisine, lacking in substance

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a gentleman. Very inspiring book too.

[Ricardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

inspiring, makes you realize why this chef succeeded and gives you insight into how he thinks, cooks, lives