I really enjoyed this book. Some may think it frivolous because it's a novel, but I felt that it had a lot of history, both culinary and cultural, added to age-old mysticism. I didn't want it to end. It's a story of a young street orphan in 1450's or thereabout Vienna who is chosen by a chef to work in the kitchen of a grand palace for the Doge (not sure exactly what that role is, but the Doge is some sort of role under the Pope). The story is wrapped around a secret book that is rumored to have the key to the fountain of youth, among other things. Of course, this book is highly sought after by both evil-doers and basically just anyone who wants to get rich and powerful, which is everybody. The chef takes on the boy as his apprentice both in cooking and also in life and becomes his mentor. Great book! I'm looking for more by this author. I had mixed feelings about this book. The story was very interesting but at times I thought that the book could be very overwritten. I loved the character of the chef but Luciano remained 2D for me and I never could see what the chef saw in him. The theories and ideas that Newmark put across were also interesting but at times it could seem preachy and too reminiscent of Dan Brown. Also, for all the chef's great philosophies and sayings and ideas about Jesus and such...there was little to no mention about women. Uh, hello? He's supposed to be such a well-rounded and wise teacher and Luciano is supposed to be this empathetic student but no one seems to care about the prostitutes or the girls they love beyond having them as objects of pity or affection. ANYWAY. So I liked it but it was also deeply flawed and obviously a first novel.
What do You think about The Chef's Apprentice (2007)?
Thoroughly enjoyed this book with a fascinating setting and an unusual protagonist - mediaeval chef!
—12345
Love the narrator. Story is good. Foodies will love this.
—haleybug
