Undercooked
How I Let Food Become My Life Navigator and How Maybe That's a Dumb Way to Live
1 of 1 copy available
“When most people say they have an unhealthy relationship with food, they mean they eat too much of it or too little. When I say I have an unhealthy relationship with food, I mean it’s what gives my life meaning. That’s a really dumb way to live your life, as the stories in this book will attest to.”
Despite an impressive résumé as an actor and writer, Dan Ahdoot realized that food has been the through line in the most important moments of his life. Growing up as a middle child, Ahdoot struggled to find his place in the family until he and his father discovered their shared love for la gourmandise. But when the tragic death of his brother pushed his parents to strengthen their Jewish faith and adopt a strictly kosher diet, Ahdoot and his father lost that savored connection.
To fill the absence left by his brother and father, Ahdoot began to obsess over food and make it central in all his relationships. This, he admits, is probably crazy, but it makes for good stories. From breaking up with girlfriends over dietary restrictions, to hunting just off the Long Island Expressway, to savoring his grandmother’s magical food that was his only tactile connection to his family’s home country of Iran, to jetting off to Italy to dine at the one of the world’s best restaurants, only to send the risotto back, Ahdoot’s droll observations on his unconventional adventures bring an absurdly funny yet heartfelt look at what happens when you let your stomach be your guide.
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
March 21, 2023 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9780593629604
- File size: 164899 KB
- Duration: 05:43:32
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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January 2, 2023
Food Network host and comedian Ahdoot debuts with a hilarious collection of essays chronicling his food obsession. Ahdoot, a middle child, bonded with his father over their shared love of restaurant meals, until his older brother died of cancer and his parents turned to religion—and a kosher diet—for comfort. He recalls losing the connection to his father and his ensuing efforts to fill the emptiness with a culinary vengeance: “My parents had Yahweh; I had Anthony Bourdain.” In “Dan the Intern,” he details his time interning at the now defunct Manhattan hot spot Spotted Pig (“It was highly unpleasant seeing Mario in the wild,” he writes of Mario Batali, pre-scandal), while in “Feels on Wheels,” he banters with his friend about powering through hangovers to volunteer with Meals on Wheels: “I’d been so busy seeking the greatest meals to make me feel better, and here were people eating food that was pure sustenance, and they were filled with gratitude for simple blessings that didn’t require a reservation three months in advance.” Ahdoot peels back the layers through amusing anecdotes, seamlessly pairing his sharp-witted humor with an endearing self-awareness. Whether he is skewering food restrictions or lamenting relationship regrets, Ahdoot’s rib-tickling collection will satiate culinary adventurers. Agent: Liz Parker, Verve. -
Actor and comedian Dan Ahdoot examines love and loss through his obsession with food. He does a wonderful job of presenting his meditations on various types of cuisine and their importance during high and low points of his life. As narrator, he uses a friendly, approachable style that at times even seems sheepish. He is sharing a wink with listeners at how silly he can be for making such a fuss over how well a dish is made. He also takes listeners through searing moments, such as the unexpected death of his brother, and his own attempts to make sense of them through food. His tone is one of concern as he works to understand his father's drastic changes in eating habits as a means to grapple with grief. M.R. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
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