Heat by Bill Buford

Heat is a fascinating and surprising story of one man's journey from journalist to kitchen slave to culinary apprentice. Bill Buford's memoir covers his time working in a first-class New York restaurant and repeated journeys to Italy to apprentice with the country's best chefs. The narrative is complemented by research into culinary history back to ancient times. Heat is a page-turner you can take to the beach, but also interesting enough for readers with an appetite for a meatier experience.