Book Review: Medium Raw

Anthony Bourdains second commentary on the world of food after "Kitchen Confidential" has the air of something that was done from a different place in his life, which it was. No longer a recovering drug-addicted cook, Bourdain is now a TV host and all-around badass in the food world.

Now instead of talking about the underbelly of the restaurant world, Bourdain comments on many aspects of the newly exploding "foodie culture" in this country. He describes his dream of a country in which an agrarian society is formed around the life-giving wholesomeness of a good meal, free from pretentious tasting menus at two star Michelin restaurants.

And he doesn't sugar-coat it. He curses, and calls people douchebags and points out his own tendency towards hypocrisy. He comments about up-and-coming young stars like New York's David Chang, owner of the Momofuku restaurant group. Bourdain is the tough old-guard of the country, commenting on where we have gone wrong along the way, and how we have come so far. And he has come a long way too from snorting blow off the line while cooking and selling trinkets with his girlfriend on the streets of New York for smack.

The metamorphosis of the writer is apparent, and it makes his gritty commentary strike home with a little more force. What better man to comment on the food culture in America today than the man who has come from its underbelly to now get paid to travel the world and eat every kind of amazing food ever?

My suggestion, pick it up, it entertains and actually has something more to say than just some old chef trying to sell cookbooks. You won't be sorry, and you will laugh,  know I did.