I love my full-bodied college life. The campus, the lecture halls and yes, most importantly......THE LIBRARY! Well-equipped with computers and strong wi-fi connection and definitely BOOKS galore, the library is my most favorite place in the whole of the college. It is from this magical place that I found this gem of a book which I have been meaning to read for a long, long time.
As if being surrounded by food in Singapore wasn't enough, my unsatiated hunger pangs were further stoked by this book in all its food porn glory. Wonderfully written about the passions that food could incite to create a dream, I had to reluctantly put down this book whenever I had to continue with my requisite assignments.
This book is the story of Hassan Haji, a boy from Mumbai who embarks, along with his boisterous family, on a picturesque journey first to London and then across Europe, before they ultimately open a restaurant opposite a famous chef, Madame Mallory, in the remote French village of Lumiere.
A culinary war ensues, pitting Hassan's Mumbai-toughened father against the imperious Michelin-starred cordon bleu, until Madame Mallory realizes that Hassan is a cook with natural talents far superior to her own.
Full of eccentric characters, hilarious cultural mishaps, vivid settings and delicious meals described in rich, sensuous detail, Hassan's charming account lays bare the inner workings of the elite world of French haute cuisine, and provides a life-affirming and poignant coming-of-age tale.
This book resonated with myself as I, just like Hassan, found my world, comfort and warmth through the culinary world. If you are hungry, please be ready with some snacks when you read this book as highly descriptive writings of Indian and French cuisine abound in this book. Highly addictive, I recommend this book to anyone who is a born foodie or just love books that put a smile on your face.
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