Ready To Get “DIRT”-y?
Sorry, that was too easy…I’m going to try and share more of the books I’ve been reading lately, including this terrific memoir from a great Writer and Chef!
Let me set it up this way…imagine living here…
Welcome To The Heart Of French Gastronomy!
Yes, Lyon France has a rich culinary history…how do I know?
Because Buford told me!
“Dirt: Adventures in Lyon as a Chef in Training, Father, and Sleuth Looking for the Secret of French Cooking” is a memoir by Author and Food Fanatic Bill Buford – the book chronicles his five-year immersion in the world of French haute cuisine in Lyon, France, following his previous book “Heat“.
More on that book in a moment, but back to Buford, who not only writes about food, but he cooks it too!
The book details his life-changing move from the US to Lyon France – why? Because he wanted to immerse himself in French cooking!
He shares his wild experiences training at the Institut Bocuse, working at the Michelin-starred restaurant La Mère Brazier, and meeting people who work and live in all facets of French cooking – from farmers to cheesemakers, bakers, and pot-throwing madmen!
He moved to France with his wife and young twin sons, and one great aspect of the book is his ongoing investigation of the superiority of French cooking, which he suspects has Italian roots!
Here is some of the culinary joy of Lyon:
- Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse: A premier covered food market named after the legendary chef, offering world-class cheeses, meats, and pastries.
Bocuse plays a big role in the book, as Buford seeks work in a variety of restaurants in order to hone his French cooking skills…the stories are entertaining, and you learn a ton about cooking – and how masters such as the late great Bocuse revolution French cuisine.
Vieux Lyon (Old Town): One of Europe’s largest Renaissance districts, famous for its narrow cobblestone streets and hidden “traboules”—secret passageways used historically by silk weavers.
So Lyon looks amazing, but Buford also reveals how closed-off the locals are to outsiders, and the almost fanatical rejection that any of their culinary past was influenced by Italy – it’s a great read for foodies as well as travel junkies!
I also shared a look at Buford’s riveting “Heat” – which is part profile of now disgraced Chef Mario Batali as well as a fascinating look at the Author’s passion for food…it’s one of a number of food books I profiled and you can see them here:
One of those books led me to cook this:
This is “Fish in crazy water” and it is delicious! See the recipe here!
I first discovered Buford’s writing with his first book: a shocking look at football fans in England…it’s riveting and very unsettling indeed…and here are a few more great books to share, like this:
This Writer wondered why so many people all chose the same lottery numbers – and discovered so much about chinese food!
Check out this great book, plus the biography of the man who created frozen food!
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Leave me a comment and let me know your favorite food books – and if you like these, please share on social media! Thanks!
Categories: Books / Media, Exotic Travel, Food, Food Review, Memoirs, Pop Culture, Recipes, Restaurants, Travel, Travel Adventures, Travel Memoir
johnrieber 
Hi John, this sounds like an interesting read. I am sure the French would reject the idea that their cooking was influenced by the Italians.
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I believe that total immersion the only way to truly learn the cooking techniques….sounds like a book for my reading pleasure. chuq
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It’s interesting that he wrote about organised football hooligans in England, then switched to books about his life as a chef. I wonder where his interest in the dark side of English football came from? Shared on Twitter, John.
Best wishes, Pete.
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