Hungry: What Eighty Ravenous Guys Taught Me About Life, Love, and the Power of Good Food

In this honest and witty kitchen memoir, chef and blogger Barnes chronicles food-supplier politics during her turbulent stint as chef for the Alpha Sig fraternity house at the University of Washington in Seattle. Barnes started her career in Dallas as the private chef for a supremely awful billionaire, and then followed her husband to Seattle, where he moved due to his job with no plan of her own. She worked at a cafe, but was appalled by health violations and prepackaged food. Then came the cooking position at Alpha Sig, a life-changing job. Barnes didn’t realize “real chefs” would treat her with contempt as a result of her work at the frat house. Her insistence that suppliers offer fresh ingredients seemed a no-brainer, but was shocking to vendors used to customers craving cheap, quick food. Self-admittedly a tough customer, Barnes is strong-willed and never actually appears bullied or excluded; although she cultivates a homegrown style, her traditional sophistication manages to shine through. Happily, while fraternity members were often inconsiderate and messy (which made Barnes frustrated and grumpy), they also were also appreciative of Barnes’s skill and dedication. And the vendors came around as well, ultimately praising Barnes as a game-changer. There are recipes here, too, and a happy conclusion: the job provided “people who needed me, [including] some who loved me, and a place to belong.” (Aug.)