Good Stock, Life on a Low Simmer by Sanford D'Amato

This book, written by the chef, is essentially his autobiography. D'Amato tells the story of his life, starting with his early years in Milwaukee, where his family ran an Italian grocery store in the building that D'Amato later used for his namesake restaurant (which he no longer owns). In between is culinary school in New York, stints at restaurants in New York and Mexico, and many interesting tales from the food worlk.

D'Amato has written this himself, and while the writing is a bit amateurish at points, it's not bad, and what comes shining through is his personal charm. You just sense he's a nice, grounded, midwestern guy. There are recipes interspersed that relate to the text, but this is mainly text, with added recipes.

I enjoyed the book. It's more a series of vignettes then a well-crafted story, so I read it in spurts. But it provides good insight into what it takes to be a chef and open your own fine dining restaurant. I think this book will also be of particular interest to anyone raised in Milwaukee.

Jonah