LITERATURE
Kitchen Confidential ANTHONY BOURDAIN
The book that launched a thousand chefs. Not too long ago, every young cook cited this memoir as inspiration for their own culinary career; dog-eared copies folded into back pockets as they stood nervously outside kitchens, hoping for a chance at life in the world of hospitality so irresistibly portrayed by much-missed cook, writer and broadcaster Anthony Bourdain. Kitchen Confidential vividly and viscerally tells his story, describing his intimate relationship with food and his entry into the world of professional cooking. Rude, rebellious and big-hearted throughout, young Bourdain’s adventures and thoughts on cooking are absolute catnip to those interested in food and the people who make hospitality happen. Once you’ve read the original, you might enjoy the annotated edition with Bourdain’s own handwritten notes, made about a decade after the book was originally published, in which he calls out and corrects (some of) his own behaviour and beliefs. It also makes a great pairing for the film Tony , which came out in early August and is based on 19-year-old Bourdain’s first encounter with a professional kitchen. Though attitudes described in the book might still be found in some kitchens, the majority of hospitality has moved on – making this a fascinating record of a long-gone lifestyle and subculture obsessed with sex, drugs, bad behaviour and haute cuisine.
Three brand-new titles from local authors, from sunsoaked mystery to fantastical history HOME GROWN
Please Help Me GYTHA LODGE
ALISON STOCKHAM Listen to Me
A feminist, fantasy retelling of the six wives of Henry VIII? This to-read pile is getting larger by the day! Political and packed with worldbuilding, this is the second book in a planned trilogy that started with Six Wild Crowns : here, King Henry of Elben’s six queens must work together to save the realm and themselves. Six Savage Thrones HOLLY RACE
A thriller part-inspired by an Alanis Morissette track? Sign us up! Singer Lola Green has gone missing, and Alexa Danesford should have seen it coming, having wondered if Lola needed help based on her own past experiences in the music industry – but now she’s gone, and Alexa will do anything she can to save her.
Another delicious thriller from Lodge. Police officer Amanda is on a much- needed holiday with her young son when she finds herself caught up in a mystery. A young girl at the same resort as Amanda is sending messages claiming to have been kidnapped, but how can they work out which girl needs help?
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK SEPTEMBER 2026 29
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