Henri Charpentier, Boyden Sparkes Life a la Henri

Annotation

Life a la Henri is the delightful memoir-with-recipes of Henri Charpentier, the world's first celebrity chef. First published in 1934, the book traces Henri's career from his days as a scrap of a bellboy on the French Riviera and a quick-witted apprentice in a three-star kitchen (when he invented crepe suzette) to his sailing for New York to open his renowned namesake restaurants that introduced many to the glories of haute cuisine. Life a la Henri is a memorable portrait of a top-flight restaurant kitchen, and is food writing of surpassing charm and taste."In this book of memories...[Henri] Charpentier mingles skilfully and delightfully the philosophy of life and the art of cooking, reminiscences and recipes."-The New York Times Book Review"unique blend of success story, food history, romance, and sheer magic"-Kirkus Reviews"thoroughly old-school"-Publishers Weekly"devastating Gallic charm"-Los Angeles Magazine