This week on In My Good Books, I'm joined by chef, writer and journalist Alasdair Gill to discuss his memoir Knives and Spoons, as part of my Reading Is Political series.
Alasdair's book explores life inside professional kitchens, the realities of addiction, and the long road to recovery. Through stories of restaurant life, family, food and sobriety, he reflects on the people who shaped him, the communities he found in hospitality and why kitchens can become both a refuge and a place where addiction is allowed to flourish.
We talk about what really goes on behind the pass, why hospitality attracts so many people searching for somewhere to belong, the relationship between obsession, cooking and addiction, and why writing this memoir became an important part of Alasdair's recovery.
As always in Reading Is Political, Alasdair also recommends books that have helped him better understand people, addiction, hospitality and the world around him.
Books recommended in this episode:
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas – Hunter S. Thompson
The Rum Diary – Hunter S. Thompson
Without Reservation – Jeremy King
Kitchen Confidential – Anthony Bourdain
This Is Going to Hurt – Adam Kay
White Heat – Marco Pierre White
Find Ali here: https://www.instagram.com/aligill__/
Buy Knives & Spoons: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/knives-and-spoons-a-chef-s-story-of-kitchens-addictions-and-mayhem-alasdair-gill/ed8f21fa754f5840?ean=9781037401435&bkshp-astro=t
