Every now and again, odd books turn up in the post for us to read and review in advance of publication - lucky us. And every now and again one of them turns out to be a real treat, and we get very excited and press it on customers, until they buy it just to keep us quiet. This is one of those - it's published in September, order your copy now! Liz writes...
White Truffles in Winter brings to life one of the culinary world’s most fascinating characters: the celebrated chef August Escoffier.
The story of Escoffier’s food is the story of Europe between the wars. N.M. Kelby’s narrative cleverly weaves details of the stark reality of the elderly Escoffier’s final days with his reminiscences of a colourful life at the very centre of European history.
Escoffier created a dazzling array of dishes to flatter and celebrate royalty and the famous, including the Prince of Wales, Kaiser Wilhelm II, Dame Nelly Melba and, most famously, the actress Sarah Bernhardt. He won his wife in pool game, narrowly avoided sailing on the Titanic, invented the ranking system for chefs that is still used today and won and lost his fortune several times over.
I devoured every word of this delicious story from the startlingly erotic way he coats a naked Bernhardt in truffle oil to the tender relationship he shares with his dying wife at the end of both their lives. The novel was as rich and satisfying as a Perigord truffle and is an absolute must read for anyone who loves good food and good writing.
Monday, 13 August 2012
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