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Beaten, Seared, and Sauced
Beaten, Seared, and Sauced: On Becoming a Chef at the Culinary Institute of America | Jonathan Dixon
8 posts | 4 read | 2 to read
Millions of people fantasize about leaving their old lives behind, enrolling in cooking school, and training to become a chef. But for those who make the decision, the difference between the dream and reality can be giganticespecially at the top cooking school in the country. For the first time in the Culinary Institute of Americas history, a book will give readers the firsthand experience of being a full-time student facing all of the challenges of the legendary course in its entirety. On the eve of his thirty-eighth birthday and after shuffling through a series of unsatisfying jobs, Jonathan Dixon enrolled in the CIA (on a scholarship) to pursue his passion for cooking. In Beaten, Seared, and Sauced he tells hilarious and harrowing stories of life at the CIA as he and his classmates navigate the institutions many rules and customs under the watchful and critical eyes of their instructors. Each part of the curriculum is covered, from knife skills and stock making to the high-pressure cooking tests and the daunting wine course (the undoing of many a student). Dixon also details his externship in the kitchen of Danny Meyers Tabla, giving readers a look into the inner workings of a celebrated New York City restaurant. With the benefit of his age to give perspective to his experience, Dixon delivers a gripping day-to-day chronicle of his transformation from amateur to professional. From the daily tongue-lashings in class to learning the ropesfastat a top NYC kitchen, Beaten, Seared, and Sauced is a fascinating and intimate first-person view of one of Americas most famous culinary institutions and one of the worlds most coveted jobs. From the Hardcover edition.
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review
SamanthaMarie
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Mehso-so

You know I love me some food memoirs. This one was pretty good. I thought it was an honest portrayal of one man's experience at the CIA (Culinary Institute of America). And I think the tone of the memoir was reflective of that time of life but it was really melancholy and whiny the whole time. I had to put the book away and take a break from the torturous tone. But it was, none the less, interesting. Especially his externship. 3 Stars.

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Dolly
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Pickpick

I loved this book! The author‘s experiences training at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) were riveting for me. He describes in detail just what classes and training are required to graduate from this famous cooking school. Most intriguing is that Dixon is not a boastful man; he freely writes about his blunders and inadequacies. 🥘🥩🍷

Mdargusch Great photo! 6y
Dolly @Mdargusch Thanks! I don‘t usually compose photos but this book begged for it. 6y
58 likes2 comments
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Dolly
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I‘m really liking the way Jonathan Dixon writes. It flows nicely and isn‘t at all boring. It‘s early. 🤞🏼

Dolly The most important part was cut off. “Someone had been sick in the shower. One young man wondered aloud several times when we‘d get our knives. “ 6y
44 likes1 comment
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RealLifeReading
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Lunchtime with the 5yo. We have to eat before 11 as PM session kindergarten starts at 1130. Tuna sandwich with cucumbers for me. Nuggets, avocados and toast for him. I find this book a little underwhelming. He's in the Culinary Institute of America! He should be all fired up and enthused! I kinda expected it to be more vibrant and upbeat but to be honest this guy's writing is a bit grey. Also I can't get over how he hates fish....

GinaAnderson I always wondered about that. I assumed you would need to like everything like Anthony Bourdain and since I hate cheese, I figured that ruled me out for a chef. 8y
RealLifeReading @GinaAnderson yeah I know. Especially with fish! To him fish tastes like "mud"! And of course you have to cook fish at the Institute. He kinda figured he would go by texture and colour of the fish instead of having to taste it. Something like that.... 8y
87 likes2 comments
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RealLifeReading
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Decided to read some non-fiction for a change. I made corn and sweet potato chowder (which the 5yo refused to even try, luckily the 3yo was happy to). And everyone had hotdogs because Mondays are hard. Happy Monday! #readandeat #nonfiction

ValerieAndBooks What time frame did he attend the CIA? I have a friend who used to teach there. As a mom myself, easy meals are always happening here too 😊 8y
Zelma Nothing wrong with hot dogs! (And I don't have kids) 🌭🌭🌭 8y
See All 7 Comments
RealLifeReading @ValerieAndBooks he finished in 2010. Your friend used to teach there? Cool! 8y
RealLifeReading @Zelma 🌭🌭 are the best 8y
ValerieAndBooks @RealLifeReading he did! But it looks like he left just before this author joined. 8y
104 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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Sraexx
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“What do you do when you aren‘t teaching?” He looked irritated, then, all of a sudden, he didn‘t. “I don‘t know … I try and teach myself something every day. I work in my garden. If I have nothing to do, I‘ll spin a globe and stop it with my finger, and if I don‘t know anything about the culture and what they eat where my finger‘s pointing, I‘ll look it up. Sometimes, I go and see music.”

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Sraexx

"I wanted to look at the students while they worked. I wanted to look closely at their faces and see if I could recognize something reflected back to me, a portent or omen that might indicate I wouldn‘t fuck this up."

MrBook Good quote! 😊👍🏻 8y
3 likes1 comment
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Sraexx

"I wanted to look at the students while they worked. I wanted to look closely at their faces and see if I could recognize something reflected back to me, a portent or omen that might indicate I wouldn‘t fuck this up."