In a nutshell
Massimo Bottura, the convention-busting, three-Michelin-starred Italian chef of Osteria Francescana in Modena shares his stories, recipes and the “chaos that’s in my head” in this starkly spectacular tome.
What does it cover?
Bottura’s ongoing battle to “bring the Italian kitchen into the 21st century” and “see Italian cuisine from a critical point of view, not a nostalgic one”. Bottura narrates the stories of his modernist Italian recipes with striking photographs.
What’s so special?
This is an Italian cookbook, but not as we know it. Its chapters chart the kitchen’s evolution, exploring canonical ingredients with a critical eye, much like the contemporary artists that inspire Bottura to “know everything: forget everything”.
Who would like it?
Restaurant obsessives, kitchen geeks, chefs and anyone interested in the anthropology of food.
Who wouldn’t like it?
Home cooks looking for quick and accessible Italian recipes.
Best recipe?
All are works of art in their own right, but Oops! I Dropped the Lemon Tart is a favourite.
Anything else?
While the recipes are highly technical, there are sub-sections, such as pasta and sauces, will appeal to keen amateurs.
We say
This highbrow book blows the lid off one of the world’s most respected restaurants, and gives a fascinating insight into the mind behind it.
To order Never Trust a Skinny Italian Chef for £29.95 (RRP £39.95) visit theguardian.com/bookshop or call 0330 333 6846. Review by Rosie Birkett
