Foodie Memoir – Save Me the Plums

I just finished reading Save Me the Plums by Ruth Reichl, one-time editor-in-chief of Gourmet magazine. She steered the magazine for about 10 years, up until they closed it about 10 years ago now, I think.This foodie memoir is fantastic, quick paced and easy to read. It takes you inside the monied, glitzy world of Condé Nast  (not sure if it’s still that way, more bean counters now, I assume) and upper-crust, white-tableclothed restaurants. While at Condé Nast, Reichl got limo service and a clothing allowance….

Reichl worked as a food writer and restaurant critic prior to being tapped for the position at Gourmet. We learn how Reichl came to grips with suddenly being in charge and about her interaction, and growing friendship, with her staff and those to whom she reported at Condé Nast. We discover how the recipes that made it into the magazine were rigorously tested and tweaked in the magazine’s test kitchen prior to publication. Also discussed is how the entire staff got “chopped” when the magazine was abruptly closed.

I don’t often read memoirs, but I’m glad I picked this one up. It’s a bright, energetic read.

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest opinion.