Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook (P.S.)

By Anthony Bourdain

“A true populist, as interested in celebrating the most humble wok-slinger as he is in extolling the superchef. If his sharp eye and his wicked tongue have brought him acclaim, what has kept him in the spotlight is his heart. Like Oscar Wilde, he is a moralist in the guise of a libertine.” —Denver Post

The instant New York Times bestseller and follow-up to Anthony Bourdain’s blockbuster classic on the cooking life, Kitchen Confidential

Medium Raw tracks Anthony Bourdain’s unexpected voyage from journeyman cook to globe-traveling professional eater and drinker, and even to fatherhood, in a series of take-no-prisoners confessions, rants, investigations, and interrogations of some of the most controversial figures in food.

Beginning with a secret, highly illegal after-hours gathering of powerful chefs that he compares to a mafia summit, Bourdain pulls back the curtain—but never pulls his punches—on the modern gastronomical revolution. Cutting right to the bone, Bourdain sets his sights on some of the biggest names in the foodie world, including David Chang; the revered Alice Waters; the Top Chef contestants; and many more.

Medium Raw is the deliciously funny, shockingly delectable result, sure to delight philistines and gourmands alike.

BUY THE BOOK

Published May 3, 2011

320 pages

Average rating: 8.2

15 RATINGS

|

Community Reviews

LucyCarrillo
Mar 29, 2026
9/10 stars
Audio, I thought this was a way to spend some time with Anthony Bourdain. I miss him.
Деметра
Apr 14, 2025
8/10 stars
I tried the audiobook version of Medium Raw and it was a pleasure to hear his voice and have him narrate his own thoughts, feelings, memories, and comments. It also gave me a better feel of his sense of humour.

However, I probably would have enjoyed the book at least a bit more if I'd read Kitchen Confidential first. Oh, well! Still a fun read, and infinitely quotable. Though it did make me hungry a few times, as is to be expected.

See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.