close
Official audiobook image coming soon Play Audiobook Sample

Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly Audiobook

Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly Audiobook, by Anthony Bourdain Play Audiobook Sample
FlexPass™ Price: $14.95
$9.95 for new members!
(Includes UNLIMITED podcast listening)
  • Love your audiobook or we'll exchange it
  • No credits to manage, just big savings
  • Unlimited podcast listening
Add to Cart
$9.95/m - cancel anytime - 
learn more
OR
Regular Price: $17.95 Add to Cart
Read By: Anthony Bourdain Publisher: Random House Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 5.50 hours at 1.5x Speed 4.13 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: February 2001 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9780375417726

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

30

Longest Chapter Length:

39:55 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

01:58 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

16:41 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

6

Other Audiobooks Written by Anthony Bourdain: > View All...

Synopsis

Part autobiography and part expose, the audiobook Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly is a trip through the backdoor of a restaurant kitchen. Anthony Bourdain treats readers to a look behind the scenes at the secrets and real life activities of a chef. This eye-opening book covers all aspects of the business, from lowly dishwashers right on up to crazed chefs and eccentric owners.

Among the stories of his personal experiences, both good and bad, he sprinkles tidbits of useful information for anyone who enjoys a night away from the stove. Seafood is ordered fresh for the weekend, so avoid ordering it on a Monday or Tuesday. Those who order their beef entrees well-done run the risk of receiving a substandard cut of meat since the cooking process will help conceal that fact, thus saving the restaurant money.

He cuts no corners in convincing you that life in a restaurant kitchen is no easy road to riches or fame. Narration by the author gives the audiobook even more appeal with his sardonic wit coming through loud and clear. He takes us through his culinary life process and does not sugar-coat it. If sensitive to talk about sex, drugs and alcohol; this book may not be what you consider enjoyable entertainment. However, if you can handle a walk on the wild-side, and can take the less pleasant realities right alongside your entrée; then this factual look at the culinary world of this popular chef is for you.

The details of how a gourmet meal comes about are given in a fascinating way that keeps your interest. The complex personalities, including Bourdain's, add just the right amount of spice to the story. Critically acclaimed here and overseas, it was preceded by his successful New Yorker article, "Don't Eat Before Reading This". Born in New York City in 1956, he spent much of his childhood in New Jersey. On a family trip to his grandparents homeland of France; Bourdain discovered oysters, and a culinary obsession was born. While at Vassar and working in a restaurant in Massachusetts, he decided to become a chef. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in 1978 he worked at various restaurants throughout New York City. He has a very successful television career hosting a number of cooking shows for different networks. To experience the life of this controversial and charismatic chef, in his own words, download Kitchen Confidential.

"I am biased because I was already a huge fan of Bourdain before I began reading this book. The book is good (and I think he would appreciate that word), really good, but it is even better if you can keep his voice in mind as you read. Reading with his voice, emphasizes the explanations, descriptions, situations, sarcasm and wit."

— Kelly (5 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “Bourdain captures the world of restaurants and professionally cooked food in all its theatrical, demented glory.”

    — USA Today
  • “Hysterical…Bourdain gleefully rips through the scenery to reveal private backstage horrors.”

    — New York Times Book Review
  • “A gonzo memoir of what’s really going on behind those swinging doors…Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain is unique.”

    — Newsweek
  • “You’ll laugh, you’ll cry…you’re gonna love it.”

    — Denver Post
  • “Bourdain’s prose is utterly riveting, swaggering with stylish machismo and a precise ear for kitchen patois.”

    — New York magazine
  • “Bourdain pulls no punches…Bourdain is as unsparingly acerbic with himself as he is with others, and he exhibits a sincere and profound love of good food…He’d probably hate to hear it, but Bourdain has a tender side, and when it peeks through his rough exterior and the wall of four-letter words he constructs, it elevates this book to something more than blustery memoir.”

    — Publishers Weekly

Awards

  • A #1 New York Times bestseller in paperback sales
  • A New York Times audio bestseller

Kitchen Confidential Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.022222222222222 out of 54.022222222222222 out of 54.022222222222222 out of 54.022222222222222 out of 54.022222222222222 out of 5 (4.02)
5 Stars: 14
4 Stars: 20
3 Stars: 9
2 Stars: 2
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 (5.00)
5 Stars: 9
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 4.777777777777778 out of 54.777777777777778 out of 54.777777777777778 out of 54.777777777777778 out of 54.777777777777778 out of 5 (4.78)
5 Stars: 7
4 Stars: 2
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    — 3/7/2024
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    — 3/7/2024
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — Joseph Kleypas, 5/10/2022
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Without a doubt, you can by this in "print", and you will hear the authors voice, but why not get it from the man himself? "Read" by the author Anthony Bourdain it is indeed a unique window into the industry, and the late great man himself. For any true fan, a must have, best gift, and all around foodie fun for all. "

    — Ben, 1/10/2022
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — 9/16/2021
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " He was a great actor and master chef.The gig he did on cnn was great. This book is even better. Good read. "

    — Morty, 8/12/2021
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — 2/2/2021
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " It's cool to see Anthony Bourdain's memoirs before he was known as a TV personality. "

    — Danielle, 6/18/2018
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Anthony Bourdain is the man and this book shows it. He describes how he progressed through the culinary ranks and all the shenanigans that ensue. If you've worked in a kitchen in any capacity, you'll understand a lot of what Bourdain is talking about "

    — Curtis, 2/14/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Given to me by my son, I think to give me an idea what goes on in the behind the scenes of restaurant life. I found it intriguing and interesting but not my favourite in literary story making. "

    — Pennyclack, 2/5/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Dubios de interesanta cartea :) "

    — Bulent, 2/4/2014

About Anthony Bourdain

Anthony Bourdain (1956–2018) was the author of the novels Bone in the Throat and Gone Bamboo, the memoir A Cook’s Tour, and the New York Times bestsellers Kitchen Confidential, Medium Raw, and Appetites. His work appeared in the New York Times and the New Yorker. He was the host of the popular television shows No Reservations and Parts Unknown.