Book Recco - "The Perfectionist" - Rudolph Chelmin

I recently read the above mentioned book, the heartbreaking story of Chef Bernard Loiseau.

The book describes his beginnings from kitchen apprentice, and follows his meteoric rise to three star chef. It then chronicles the sad conclusion to his career.

While I found the beginning of the book a bit slow, once it grabbed me, I couldn't put it down, and I became entwined in the lives of the characters.
The story provides a glimpse behind the scenes of what it takes to get and keep three Michelin stars, and the toll that it took on this one talented individual.

Despite the sad conclusion, I found many uplifting moments in the story, and I really enjoyed the book.

[Robin Garr]

the heartbreaking story of Chef Bernard Loiseau.

Thanks for the tip, John! I've just put it on reserve from our local free public library.

I thought this was a very good book too. I read 'Burgundy Stars', where the author just mentions Loiseau's depression briefly while detailing life at the Cote d'Or, and Chelminski's 'The French at Table' -- both are terrific. I have always wondered how Loiseau's manic depression could have been so passed over by the folks around him? Sometimes you hear folks say 'we never had any idea'. But in Loiseau's case, folks really did know he was in a bad way. In any case, it is a great book, I agree.
cheers, Bonnie