...confidence and bravado resonate throughout Crenn’s high-spirited memoir ... Crenn’s story is one of accomplishment, empowerment, entrepreneurship and resilience ... Defying convention, she crafts her tasting menus not as lists of dishes, but as poems to evoke waves of emotion ... The book is laced with stories of Crenn’s physical strength and courage as she recovers from a devastating knee injury, then breast cancer, and advocates for gender equity and human rights ... Straightforward and candid and written in spare, warm prose (credit to co-author Emma Brockes), this memoir provides a glimpse into an extraordinary artist who lives fully on her own inspiring terms.
...the story here is less about food than about Crenn’s confidence: where it came from and what it has allowed her to achieve ... By the end of this cleanly written (thanks to her co-author Brockes) and satisfying work, Crenn has confronted various obstacles, gender discrimination and health problems among them, to win a place in the pantheon of French chefs — on her own terms.
Crenn is clear about the issues facing women who work in the culinary world—and is always an advocate for the different and the unusual. With her facing a diagnosis of an aggressive form of breast cancer at book’s end, readers of all ages and genders will wish her the very best. Spirited and inspiring.
Engaging and candid, this memoir offers a glimpse into a unique life as the author eloquently articulates the artistic, social, and political vision behind her daring, award-winning cuisine ... Delectable reading.
...an empowering memoir that celebrates female entrepreneurship ... Throughout, Crenn highlights her passion for organic ingredients...and celebrates her French culinary roots. Crenn talks of her achievements, among them preparing a dish for French president Emmanuel Macron, and of dealing with setbacks such as a breast cancer diagnosis ... This enthusiastic memoir will thrill foodies and inspire hopeful chefs.
