In a rich tone, Kathleen Gati gives this polyglot audiobook its due. She narrates in French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, and Turkish, and her pace is spot-on. Most importantly, Gati captures the author's voice and personality. Von Bremzen is a food and travel writer who spends weeks in a different locale and shares her distinct opinions on dishes ranging from Neapolitan pizza to ramen and pot au feu. But it is the emotionally charged epilogue that elevates this work. Raised in Russia, she brings up borsch (ending it with a "t" is a Yiddishism) and weighs in on the longtime argument over whether the classic beet soup is Ukrainian or Russian. She takes the Ukrainian side and ends the text with a passionate pro-Ukraine plea.
Pub Date: June 20, 2023
Duration: 12 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780593681336
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Ina Garten narrates with the same precision, charm, poise, and irreverence exhibited on her "Barefoot Contessa" television productions. That same independent woman people know from her food preparation shows on Food Network spins quite the tale. Her philosophy has been to make quick decisions and "dive in"--figuring it all out later. Raised by exceptionally strict parents, she longed for a loving family. Aspects of that need were filled by her husband, Jeffrey Garten, who is an economist and professor. Garten's narration is measured, personal, and absorbing. This is a memoir not to miss if you enjoy Ina Garten, food, and restaurants--or if you simply want to be ready to apply your special talents when the luck happens to you.
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2024
Duration: 8 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217012282
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Heni Zoutomou performs this audiobook on the politics of food in a clear tone, convincing style, and purposeful cadence. Her narration focuses on its powerful message that the U.S. government in its various guises has allowed the suffering of Indigenous, Black, and Latino people through harmful food programs. The feeding of enslaved people was horrific, as was the food at "Indian schools." Milk marketing to lactose-intolerant people, fostering food deserts, and dumping government cheese on Native peoples who had already suffered the ignominy of the near extinction of the buffalo are just three examples. Freeman, who teaches law, makes a powerful case that food policy helps explain the significant disparities in nutrition in our society.
Pub Date: July 16, 2024
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593944868
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
