How I Learned to Cook

Three Chefs: Anthony Bourdain, Jose Andres and Michel Richard

Thanks to a tornado watch and heavy rain all day, I was able to go tonight to this lecture given by the Smithsonian Resident Associate Program. It was a sold out show but some people stayed inside because of the rain and I was able to get a ticket on stand by. I'm so glad I went.

All three chefs were very entertaining to listen to
Every chef has to learn how to cook, whether in grandma’s kitchen or at a professional culinary institute, or perhaps both. Three superstar chefs return to the Smithsonian to recount true tales of the early days in their culinary educations.

Sometimes hilarious, sometimes touching, but always entertaining, chefs Anthony Bourdain, Jose Andres, and Michel Richard recount their first experiences in the kitchen, the miraculous moments that made them want to cook forever, and the unexpected epiphanies that occured just when they thought they knew it all. If you love food and cooking, their stories are an irresistible treat.

Bourdain is executive chef at Brasserie Les Halles in New York, and the star of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations on the Travel Channel.

Richard is owner and executive chef of Citronelle and author of Happy in the Kitchen.

Andres is executive chef at Jaleo, Cafe Atlantico, and Oyamel, and host of Vamos a cocinar on Television Espanola.

The book How I Learned to Cook: Culinary Educations from the World’s Greatest Chefs (Bloomsbury)—which features essays by more than 25 professional chefs, including this evening’s three guest chefs—is available for signing after the program.