There's Nothing Nasty About the Nasty Bits

I have been a fan of Anthony Bourdain's since I first saw him on the Food Network show, A Cook's Tour. Upon re-discovering him when I accidentally flipped to the Travel Channel one evening, I quickly learned that not only is he a well-traveled chef, but he's also a writer. He has written for some well known foodie magazines as well as some non-fiction and fiction books of his own. One day while perusing the local Border's bookstore, I came upon his book The Nasty Bits: Collected Varietal Cuts, Usable Trim, Scraps, and Bones. I just had to have this book if not out of the perverse curiosity of what kind of writer Bourdain is, compared to the television persona found on his show No Reservations.

Nasty Bits is filled with articles and pieces Bourdain has written over the years during his writing career. This book was crazy good. I could see where he has grown as a writer, as well as a traveler and of course, foodie. Some of his stories were short, some of them rather long, and the reader is treated to a Christmas tale of sorts as the final chapter. His dry humour and wit shined through: I found myself laughing out loud more than on one occasion. I even cringed during some bits (no pun intended), especially during one story in which he royally screwed up an interview because he misheard the chef with who he was interviewing.

And before you put this book in its place on your bookshelf, don't forget to read his commentary at the very end.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has a dry sense of humour with some wit sprinkled in. Or, like me, find this man fascinating and hilariously funny.