David Chang (1) (1977–)

I was visiting a little bookstore in a neighboring town, trying to decide on a book to buy when I saw this. The hosts of Book Riot Podcast have mentioned this SO MANY TIMES that I thought it was probably time to read it.

I probably should have skipped it. Look, the main problem is, I had no idea who Chang was when I started this, and had never heard of his restaurants. I got the feeling I was supposed to be super impressed by him, and I just wasn't. In fact, the lasting impression I had of this book after finishing it was that I wished Chang had taken better ownership of his anger issues.

I've already given my copy away to someone who does know who he is, so hopefully they may enjoy it better.… (más)

I loved the honesty in this book and appreciate the author putting himself out there. Mental illness is a tough thing and I whole heartedly agree that this is something that needs to be talked about more openly. He has some very good analogies regarding how it should be viewed and handled. I think the book hopped around a little more than I would have liked so it was hard to look forward to reading the next chapter. I also think I was hoping he would go into a little bit more detail about the food but that may be something he touched in in his other books.… (más)

From the introduction, I get the sense this memoir, like Sara Bareilles' "Love Song" was written at the behest of his publisher (he even says so, in the reluctance to write a memoir versus a guide to young chefs starting their own restaurants). Still, Chang is an interesting person who's been in the public eye for food world with thoughtful, innovative shows and brash personality. I felt like this book was part therapy in self-evaluating the past, with tons of self-deprecation (and needed humility, in the case of reevaluating the anger-fueled actions in the early days.

There's also commentary of course, on perceptions, on being an Asian American guy who didn't necessarily fit the "smart" stereotype but was also driven to prove himself, to subvert expectations on dining and do something new with each property, etc. as well as taking criticisms of the restaurant personally (see aforementioned anger, where fuck ups in the kitchen were affronts to not just the restaurant but to himself). There's a common phrasing that depression is anger turned inwards, and I wouldn't be surprised if that connection was there here.… (más)