Book Log 2020 #25: 32 Yolks by Eric Ripert

Another chef memoir, this time by Eric Ripert, a multiple Michelin star-winning chef who may be best known to Americans for his appearances with Anthony Bourdain on shows like No Reservations. He's a pretty affable guy on screen, and gives off the same vibe on the page.

Though it would have been easy for him to cultivate some sort of edge or dark side based on his childhood. Like Kwame Onwuachi, Ripert found success through adversity as a child, though the issue here was a divorce, a less than supportive stepfather, and (spoiler alert) the unexpected death of his father.

Ripert found comfort in food, both in the home and in a local restaurant, where the chef would let him hang out and introduce him to new foods and what it's like to be a professional chef. Ripert worked through the drudgery of culinary school and survived the pressures and abuse of being a new line cook in Paris to become the celebrity chef he is today.

I liked the book, and found Ripert's story interesting, especially the parts that gave greater insight as to the culinary world in Europe (and France in particular). I do think it suffered a little bit from reading it so close to Kwame's book, though it could also be that being familiar with Ripert I was less invested in his personal struggles.

That being said I did enjoy the book, and think it would be a good read for anyone interested in chefs or the culinary world.