Author(s): Nigel Slater

Memoir

Toast is Nigel Slater's truly extraordinary story of a childhood remembered through food. In each chapter, as he takes readers on a tour of the contents of his family's pantry?rice pudding, tinned ham, cream soda, mince pies, lemon drops, bourbon biscuits?we are transported....
His mother was a chops-and-peas sort of cook, exasperated by the highs and lows of a temperamental stove, a finicky little son, and the asthma that was to prove fatal. His father was a honey-and-crumpets man with an unpredictable temper. When Nigel's widowed father takes on a housekeeper with social aspirations and a talent in the kitchen, the following years become a heartbreaking cooking contest for his father's affections. But as he slowly loses the battle, Nigel finds a new outlet for his culinary talents, and we witness the birth of what was to become a lifelong passion for food. Nigel's likes and dislikes, aversions and sweet-toothed weaknesses, form a fascinating backdrop to this exceptionally moving memoir of childhood, adolescence, and sexual awakening.
A bestseller (more than 300,000 copies sold) and award-winner in the UK, Toast is sure to delight both foodies and memoir readers on this side of the pond?especially those who made such enormous successes of Ruth Reichl's "Tender at the Bone" and Anthony Bourdain's "Kitchen Confidential." Praise for Nigel Slater's "Toast" ?His writing could not be more palate-cleansing? his acidic riffs put you in mind of Nick Hornby, Martin Amis and Philip Larkin all at the same time.? ?"The New York Times " "Many scenes are hilarious and the language is so evocative that it will stimulate your own fond remembrance of meals past." ?"People" "At its sweet heart, "Toast" is a stirring tale of a troubled childhood, strung together by memorable meals both appetizing and revolting." --"Entertainment Weekly" "Using prosaic touchstones like milk skin, tinned fruit, and bad apple crumble, Slater recounts his harsh coming-of-age in [...] unsauced sentences. "Toast" will leave you with a newfound belief that chef Jamie Oliver, who has proclaimed Slater a genius, has good taste in more than just arugula." --"Elle" ?Nigel is a genius.? ?Jamie Oliver, author of "Jamie's Kitchen, The Naked Chef, " and "Happy Days with the Naked Chef"