The Main Dish

by Michael Ruhlman

Michael Ruhlman, author of best-selling books about professional cooking and chefs, and best-selling cookbooks with such chefs as Thomas Keller, Eric Ripert, and Michael Symon, turns his reporter’s eye and engaging style on himself to answer the question, “How on earth did I get here?” In an unlikely and unplanned series of chance connections, and work often motivated primarily by fear of poverty, he managed to carve a unique place for himself in the increasingly obsessive world of restaurants, chefs and writers. In this Kindle Single, Ruhlman charts his unlikely course from child cook-writer, to writer, to neophyte at The Culinary Institute of America, to his arrival in the kitchen of The French Laundry, one of the finest restaurants in America, and beyond.

Genres: Food, Nonfiction, Memoir, Audiobook, Writing, Foodie

31 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 19, 2012

About the author

Michael Ruhlman (born 1963 in Cleveland, Ohio) is an American writer. He is the author of 11 books, and is best known for his work about and in collaboration with American chefs, as well as other works of non-fiction.

Ruhlman grew up in Cleveland and was educated at University School (a private boys' day school in Cleveland) and at Duke University, graduating from the latter in 1985. He worked a series of odd jobs (including briefly at the New York Times) and traveled before returning to his hometown in 1991 to work for a local magazine.

While working at the magazine, Ruhlman wrote an article about his old high school and its new headmaster, which he expanded into his first book, Boys Themselves: A Return to Single-Sex Education (1996).

For his second book, The Making of a Chef (1997), Ruhlman enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America, completing the course, to produce a first-person account -- of the techniques, personalities, and mindsets -- of culinary education at the prestigious chef's school. The success of this book produced two follow-ups, The Soul of a Chef (2000) and The Reach of a Chef (2006).

Reviews

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a fan of Michael Ruhlman's books, particularly his look into the culinary world, so when I saw his Kindle single I couldn't resist. This was a quick read - I enjoyed learning about how he got into food writing and also learning about one writer's process of becoming a writer. It also made me think about how things in life take unexpected turns and you never know quite where you might end up. To me, the book was in typical Ruhlman style - entertaining yet informative with fun facts to absorb.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book because I enjoyed "The Making of a Chef" and "Soul of a Chef." Unfortunately, there isn't much new in this Kindle single. Michael Ruhlman is a talented writer in chronicling the food industry but not so much in other areas. This book reflects that... it jumps around focused on his struggles as a poor writer with a wife and toddler in tow. Also, since his wife chose to stay home to raise their daughter, it was tiresome to hear about how they were running low on money. Ruhlman should have stuck with writing cookbooks and about the lives of chefs, not his own life.

[Vansh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I see food as a science rather than art. To me, it's just about calories in, getting rid of irritants, and having sufficient nutrients in my diet. That said, I can see now why others would see it as an art. Michael enters as a foreigner and becomes enraptured in culinary culture and learning the strange things they do in chasing deliciousness.
Whilst I disagree with it (chasing too much pleasure that is) I do appreciate the journalistic tenacity shown as well as his thoughts given out through this little book!
Thanks for writing this Michael!

[Matt O'Donnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t know this existed until the day I read it! I stumbled on it while I was looking into which of Ruhlman’s books I didn’t own while preparing to have him as a guest on my podcast, Matt O’Donnell Wants To Know.

A quick and easy explanation of how he came to be a good writer (and, really, a writer at all). No need to be fancy here, but it’s written in that beautiful style that is distinctively Michael Ruhlman.

[Haze · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short read and I finished it in one sitting, but it left me wanting more so I ended up immediately starting The Making of a Chef by the same author. It's so wonderful listening to his experiences in the culinary life. I loved it!

[Robin Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excited to read Making of a Chef.

[Corey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic Michael Ruhlman

After reading some of Ruhlman's other books I was fascinated to learn some of what has happening behind the scenes that led to his books. After reading this book I want to go write. I'm not one who likes to write, but he is able trigger something inside of me that makes me want to write. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has read any of Ruhlman's previous books.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Compelling Story

I bought this one on a whim after purchasing one of the author's unique cooking tools (badass perforated egg spoon). All good stories start with a bit of action, and the author opened the act with a 180 on a snow covered highway with his wife and baby in the car; all in jeopardy. I couldn't put it down, read straight through, and was disappointed, when he ended his story; all signs of a great read. I'll be buying more of his books in the future.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Kindle Single. All over the place, and redundant, but Ruhlman is such a comfortable writer.

About how he became a writer, and later a food writer.

Well worth an evening (about 30 pp long) if you are a fan of Ruhlman.

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly dissapointing

No real meat to this single. Was excited based on reviews and was looking forward to reading other Ruhlman books, but I felt this was all over the place and pompous.

[GIZMO · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the backstory to Ruhlman's career...fascinating how a few random events and mishaps added up to some great opportunities

[Gretchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

funny, angry, and pretentious (just like I like all my food writers)

[Ultrajbk · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a little Gem, thank you MDMD for recommending this memoirella. I have the cookbook, the French Laundry, and will now go back and reread it, knowing something now of the author.

[Tory · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a mess. Skipped all over the place and was very hard to follow.