Name: Antoni in the Kitchen
ISBN: 9781328631343

Antoni Porowski

Mindy Fox

The food guru and breakout star of the Netflix smash hit Queer Eye unveils the stylishly accessible, healthy recipes fans have been waiting for

Antoni in the Kitchen

Erin 

This is actually one of the best cookbooks I've read. Which brings me to question: can you really read a cookbook? Does it count? It's a book and I read it, but also I feel like it doesn't count. Anyway, this one was very good. And although my cookbook-reading history isn't extensive, I still think that means something. This is exactly what I expected of Antoni, and it's great. Sometimes I feel like cookbooks are too far out of reach for people just getting into cooking, but this one doesn't do that. It takes the things you already love and elevates them several notches. I love that Antoni has taken the opportunity to throw all sorts of spins on classical - and even not-so-classcial - dishes. From his Polish-Canadian background to putting a Middle Eastern twist on a traditionally western dish, it felt a bit like coming home but also stepping outside of your comfort zone. I also thing this book balances really well between personal histories and cooking. You know when you find a recipe on Pinterest that you want to try, but you have to read about someone's whole life story first? Antoni doesn't do that, thankfully. But there's still some backstory there, which is perfect for Queer Eye fans who just want another glimpse into Antoni's soul. 

When it was (separately) announced that each of the Fab 5 would be releasing a book, all before the show had been out for barely a year, I admit I was a bit skeptical. It felt like publishers were all capitalising on the success of the show, focusing on how much they could make rather than let any projects arise naturally. Even the Queer Eye book I gave a little side eye. I've read one of their releases, which I was extremely disappointed by. I won't say which one, but feel free to take a look through my reviews. I'm pleased to say that I have a vastly different opinion of this one, and that it's totally worth reading (even if just for the very, very attractive photos of Antoni handling vegetables. Seriously. It's like he's staring into the linings of my soul on every page). This book has heart in it and holding it in my hands actually makes my own heart sing.

Darice de Cuba

This book would have been better in a memoir format akin to A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table by Molly Wizenberg.

I feel with all the (lovely) photos of Antoni and a couple of actual food, he should have written more about his personal life and share recipes dear to him in between.

Often when I get a cookbook, there are several recipes in it I can't wait to try. Not so with this book. I was also disappointed that he mentions using Montreal Steak seasoning (which is hard to find in Europe) but doesn't share how to make it yourself except for mentioning a couple of spices. Little details like this made me think it would have been better to write a food-themed memoir instead of a cookbook.