Book summary

Shaving lamb's tongues, destroying everything from sea bass to duck during dinner rushes, and putting up with constant mockery were just the initial experiences of former New Yorker fiction editor Bill Buford during his long stint as a "kitchen slave" at Mario Batali's Babbo. As he interweaves Batali's crazy life story with his own culinary odyssey working in macho kitchens, taking Italian apprenticeships, and following leading chefs, Buford provides an entertaining, self-depreciating memoir about getting his cooking chops and falling for the delicious magic of Italian food. Bill Buford is also the author of AMONG THE THUGS. A 2006 New York Times Notable Book.

Media reviews

"Those of us in our 40's will certainly understand the allure of re-examining your life and career, not to mention the romance of actually changing it, dramatically. Finally, many of us will also be consumed by jealousy. HEAT is a remarkable journey--I only wish I'd thought to make it."