Food and Shelter
18 months ago I received a phone call from a ‘celebratory chef’ in America – allow me to clarify that phrase, in America a ‘celebratory chef’ cooks for celebratories as opposed to being one himself.
I’ve known Tony a long time; in fact he did the catering for us when we got married in the Bronx, New York, although we go way back. He was trying to write this book and was having a tough time of it. Tony’s a marvel in the kitchen, but hopeless at the keyboard. In fact his opening line was so bad that I had to tactfully explain the importance of the opening line. “Tony, when someone walks in your restaurant they’ve got to feel excited and invigorated, anticipating a great meal and a great time. It’s the same with the opening line and, let’s be honest about it, yours is shit.”
I set to work, and even if I say so myself this is a bloody good book; an engaging tale that will keep you turning the page. Tony’s story is one of hardship, survival and eventual success against all odds. I learned a lot about the kitchen while co-authoring ‘Food and Shelter’ and I eventually came to understand the parallel lives of the chef and the writer.
A chef’s magic is his ingredients, how he can substitute one for another, then break with convention by changing it all around again without once referring to the recipe. And then just at the death complete the beauty by adding another element never previously thought of. Well words are the writer’s sorcery, our dark arts and our sleight of hand. They’re our enchantment and our temptation. Sometimes both the chef and the writer overindulges himself and it gets out of hand, but that’s how we like it, it’s how we’ve ghosted some of our best creations.
Well after a long 18 months, ‘Food and Shelter’ is finally complete and online. I’m not asking ABCtalers to buy it, but just take a peek inside by clicking on ‘Click to look inside’ and even if you hate what you see I’d be interested in hearing your opinion;
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Food-and-Shelter-ebook/dp/B00B726RTI/ref=sr_1_1?...
