About the Book

A deliciously evocative story of childhood in 1960s suburban England from one of the United Kingdomas best-loved writers, Nigel Slater
"Toast" is the truly extraordinary story of a childhood remembered through food. In each chapter, as Nigel Slater takes us on a tour of the contents of his familyas pantryarice pudding, tinned ham, cream soda, mince pies, lemon drops, bourbon biscuitsawe are transporteda]

His mother is a chops-and-peas sort of cook, exasperated by the highs and lows of a temperamental stove, a finicky little son, and the asthma that would prove fatal. His father is a honey-and-crumpets man with an unpredictable temper. When he is widowed, Nigelas father takes on a housekeeper with social aspirations and a talent in the kitchen and the following years become a heartbreaking cooking contest for his affections. As he slowly loses, Nigel finds a new outlet for his culinary gifts and we witness the birth of a lifelong passion for food. Nigelas likes and dislikes, aversions and sweet-toothed weaknesses, form a fascinating backdrop to this exceptionally moving memoir of childhood, adolescence, and sexual awakening.

With a new preface and glossary for American readers, this British bestseller and national award winner is sure to delight foodies and memoir enthusiasts on this side of the pond. Possessed of the subtlety and wit of Ruth Reichlas "Tender at the Bone" and the disarming frankness of Anthony Bourdainas page-turning "Kitchen Confidential," "Toast" is a treat to be savored. BACKCOVER: aNigel Slater at his unpretentious, delicious best.a aNigella Lawson, author of "How to Be a Domestic Goddess"
aHis writing could not be more palate-cleansinga] his acidicriffs put you in mind of Nick Hornby, Martin Amis and Philip Larkin all at the same time.a a"The New York Times"
aNigel is a genius.a aJamie Oliver, author of "Jamieas Kitchen, The Naked Chef," and "Happy Days with the Naked Chef"
aNigel Slater's "Toast" is an exceptional book. It brilliantly weaves hungers together: belly hunger, sexual hunger, and the hunger for love and loss. I loved every page and the poignancy of being a child is dead on.a aJane Stern, author of "Ambulance Girl," coauthor of "Roadfood," and contributing editor at "Gourmet" magazine
aI enjoyed every moment of reading Nigel Slater's "Toast," It's hard to imagine a more elegantly rendered memoir of growing up. Funny, poignant, artful, erotic, sad, a story conveyed through intelligent and unsentimental proseathe book is a jewel.a aMichael Ruhlman, author of "The Soul of a Chef"
a"Toast" is a remarkable story of a young man's life, and the food that nourished it. Well written, lively and engaging.a aMarie Simmons, author of "Fig Heaven"
aThe genius of his food writing comes from an obvious belief that food and happiness share the same organ in the brain.a aLynne Truss
aConvincing, engaging, and rich with detail, Slateras prose lets readers taste the pink marshmallows, smell the freshly baked oat cookies, and feel the crunch of the green beans. Paced as superbly as a seven-course meal, Toast is] able to engage the heart and the memory as well as the taste buds.--"Publishers Weekly"
aA banquet of unlikely delectationsa] Englandas answer to Anthony Bourdainas Kitchen Confidential.a a"Daily Telegraph" (UK)
aNo one writes more temptingly about food.a a"The Independent" (UK)
aAninspired memoir, boil-in-the-bag Proust a aTim Adams, "Observer" (UK)
aThis artful, disconcerting, endearing book deserves a place in the literature of childhood unhappiness and survival against the odds.a a"Daily Telegraph" (UK)
aA vivid record of people whose lives never warrant the study of historians, biographers or even novelists... wonderful... extraordinary.a aMatthew Fort, "The Observer" (UK)
aNigel Slater's Toast eats its way through a difficult childhood... this is an ingenious and touching treat.a aHermione Lee, "Times Literary Supplement Books of the Year 2003" (UK)
aUtterly irresistiblea] You read this remarkable memoir partly cringing, partly marvelling at Slateras hallucinogenic retrieval off times past. He is the Proust of the Nesquik Era. a "Independent" Books of the Year (UK)
aProves he can write mouth-wateringly about families and life, too: I gobbled it up.a a"Daily Telegraph" Books of the Year (UK)
a"Toast" follows a recipeaboyhood blues without bitternessathat looks simple yet is actually hard to pull off. Slater manages it.a a"Guardian" (UK)
aDelightfula] singular and original.a a"Evening Standard" (UK)

Product Details

Media: Hardcover Book, 238 pages

Language: English

Publisher: Gotham Books

Edition: Unknown

ISBN-10: 1592400906

Publication Date: Unknown

ISBN-13: 9781592400904

Dimensions: 5.92 x 8.70 x 0.97 inches

Shipping Weight: 0.94 lbs

• Categories: Cooking Biographies & Cooking Autobiographies