Customer Reviews
a mesmerising read - By: V. Ball, 25 Jul 2008 
I vaguely remember Marco being married to Lisa Butcher for not very long quite a few years ago & that he had a bit of a temper, but apart from that i was completely oblivious to his existance - until i saw the first episode of the great british feast a few weeks ago, & sat transfixed at the man that was on the screen. I have since then read his autobiography to find out how this mesmerising, humourous, slightly bonkers man came about.
The book is a one sitting read, it is written exactly as if he was talking to you. The death of his mother when he was 6 seems to be the single event in his life that has shaped his life, that has made him the man that he is, & her death will haunt him until the day he dies. Yes, his behaviour has not always been perfect & he has many personality flaws, but he apologises for none of it, instead he just seems to tell you the plain truth for you to make up your own mind about his actions. He is nothing if not honest.
By the end of the book i was left near to tears with his final words about his mother. You just want to be able to mend him!!
Outstanding!!! - By: Mr. N. A. Walmsley, 05 Jul 2008 Within moments of opening this book i found it extremely difficult to leave alone. With no need to be a budding chef or have a great knowledge of a kitchen you will instantly appreciate this wonderfully written autobiograpy. A very funny 'rollercoaster ride' with plenty of tales that will keep you gripped to the end. This is a book for everyone.
Brilliant like the man himself - By: M. Donnelly, 27 Jun 2008 I bought this book after watching Marco on Hell's Kitchen & becoming intrigued. I wanted to find out more about the man & this autobiography is a wonderful read. This is Tracey talking, my husband hasn't read it yet, but what impressed me most about this autobiography is that it's as though you can hear Marco's voice, it's as if he's sitting opposite you. From the tragic loss of his beloved mother at such an early age to his time at Harveys & disputes involving cheeses, coats & customers to his three stars, to handing them back & finding out what he wants to do with his life after the kichen, it's alll here. A brilliant book from a brilliant man.Looking forward to his new tv series!
Beware: Low Flying Cheese... - By: Snapdragon, 14 Jun 2008 In the introduction MPW is reminiscing about a cooking demonstration he was going to do to a group of wealthy women. He says; `These dishes had to be quite effortless & ones the ladies could easily cook at home, so this is what I decided to serve; grilled lobster with parsley & chervil & a béarnaise mousseline; turbot with citrus fruits, a little coriander & some fennel; then sea bass a la nicoise.' I'm guessing that this is unintentional humour?! Cook easily at home, you say?? Mind you, I have trouble with scrambled eggs, so perhaps I'm not the best judge!
This book is absolutely incredible & compulsive reading. MPW talks about; his early life & the loss of his mother; how he started as a chef; his determination & drive to get three Michelin stars; his battle to win a libel case against two American newspapers and, perhaps best of alll, some examples of his amazing temper. I was almost spellbound as I read about the time he held the owner of a mink coat to ransom; what he did with Albert Roux & a pig's trotter; & what he got up to in his office at Harveys.
There are times when he does show us a slightly softer & more sensitive side & who could argue with his ethos that, `no man can choose what he is born into, but every man can choose to better himself.' This man reallly is an inspiration, but that said, whilst reading about him was great....I'd be a little reluctant to work for him!
Worth the sunburn... - By: Mrs. Rebecca C. Turner, 14 May 2008 I started reading sitting in the garden at midday in the sun. Time stopped still as I was lost in this mad world of Chef White. I read until I finished the book. I got sunburn, forgot to make the kids tea, my tomato plants wilted & the agony of an ear infection disappeared.
This is a story that will stay on my book shelves forever. It is one of those alll too rare books that suck you in & make you grieve when you finish.
What a story, what a guy.
