Book review: Nigel Slater’s ‘The Kitchen Diaries’

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If there is one thing I enjoy reviewing almost as much as food, it would be books. It’s probably a carry over from writing all those college papers on books especially those written by dead guys. I have no qualms accepting offers from publishers and publicists to review books. That was how I was able to obtain copies of Mark Bittman’s The Best Recipes in the World (the two entries were lost though in last year’s database disaster) and Gerladine Hartman’s Not Just for Vegetarians — I was contacted by their publicists. I even cooked some of the recipes from their cookbooks and posted them here. It’s partly to show that when I say I like a cookbook, I mean the recipes are for cook-able meals and not just for prettifying the dining table.

Unlike books, however, I have serious reservations about accepting free meals or sample food products for review. Why? Let me just rehash here a comment that I posted in the Unlawyer’s blog:

“There are products which, whether in the form of samples or otherwise, the substance will not differ. Example: books, magazines, music… Whether one is given an advance copy, or a free copy when the product is already publicly available, or if one buys as a regular customer, the product stays the same. They cannot be embellished.

But there are products and services that can be embellished when the business owner wants a good review. Hotels, resorts, airlines, restaurants, food products are only some of them.”

For better context, let me refer you to two entries that I posted in two other blogs. The first, in Bare Naked Media is entitled All expenses paid; the second, About endorsements in The Sassy Lawyer’s Journal. You don’t have to read them though I really wish you would. It would help tremendously in understanding my reviews policy.

That said, let me tell you about Nigel Slater’s The Kitchen Diaries, my free copy courtesy of the Dutton and Gotham Books (Penguin Group in New York).

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November 17, 2006  Print This Post   
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Comments

4 Responses to “Book review: Nigel Slater’s ‘The Kitchen Diaries’”
  1. stef says:
    November 19, 2006 at 12:26 am

    no mention of countries or regions of origin of the dishes. It’s like saying food is universal and a great meal is not about being academically correct about the history of dishes nor ingredients.

    glad you reviewed this sassy. while i love books that go into food history and all that, sometimes i just want a good recipe that works — not everyone cares about all that other stuff! nigel slater’s book was not on my list to buy, but it may be worth a look after all.

    Reply
  2. Connie says:
    November 19, 2006 at 2:56 am

    i think food books should be categorized more clearly — cookbooks are for cooking; and there should be a name for the kind that goes in depth about the history and origin of dishes and ingredients. But then again, The Kitchen Diaries wouldn’t exactly be a cookbook because it is a blog in print form. Printed blog, maybe. LOL

    Reply
  3. jerry roxas says:
    November 20, 2006 at 3:22 pm

    a ako pwedeng mag order ng book ni NIgel Slater’s ” The Kitchen Diaries”, please advice.

    Reply
  4. Connie says:
    November 20, 2006 at 9:02 pm

    jerry, i think it’s available on amazon.

    Reply
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