Figaroscope's Francois Simon new book

[albiston]

On the last issue of the Italian food and wine magazine Gambero Rosso there's a two page "review" of Francois Simon, journalist at Figaroscope, new book Tuscane(s). The so called review is quite confusing. I only got that there's a great deal of open and hidden references to well known French and Italian food world personalities, and that it takes place, at least partially, in San Vincenzo, Tuscany where one of Italy's best restaurants, il Gambero Rosso (no connection with the magazine) is located.

Has anyone read the book or knows the resonance it had in France? It sounds like an interesting read, if only my French weren't so poor.

Looking on amazon.fr I also found out Simon oublished another book titled "Comment se faire passer pour un critique gastronomique sans rien y connaître". Sounds even more intriguing than Tuscane(s).

[John Talbott]

Looking on amazon.fr I also found out Simon oublished another book titled "Comment se faire passer pour un critique gastronomique sans rien y connaître". Sounds even more intriguing than Tuscane(s).

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By coincidence, I read "Comment..." yesterday. It is hilarious and perceptive and great fun. I'll be glad to provide some notes in English when I get the opportunity.

[Le Zouave]

John's right (as usual ): "Comment..." is much funnier. It's everything one should know to become a perfect food writer (how to spend less, talk to a sommelier or a chef, read a review, choose a sushi bar, etc.). I'm sure John's notes will be perfect.

[Bux]

I'm also eagerly anticipating John's notes on Comment se faire passer pour un critique gastronomique sans rien y connaître.

[francesco]

On the last issue of the Italian food and wine magazine Gambero Rosso there's a two page "review" of Francois Simon, journalist at Figaroscope, new book Tuscane(s). The so called review is quite confusing.

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Let me guess....Petrini's the author?

Francesco

[albiston]

Let me guess....Petrini's the author?

Francesco

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bulls eye! Did you guess because of the topic of the article or because I referred to the review as "quite confusing" ?

Andrea Petrini is actually writing all the specials on European countries GR publishes, and has a monthly news column on the magazine too. Really informative although I can't say I'm a fan of his writing style.

[francesco]

bulls eye! Did you guess because of the topic of the article or because I referred to the review as "quite confusing" ?

Andrea Petrini is actually writing all the specials on European countries GR publishes, and has a monthly news column on the magazine too. Really informative although I can't say I'm a fan of his writing style.

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Both. As you say, there one good thing about Petrini and that is that he seems to be on top of what is happening outside of Italy, which is really rare for an Italian (he does live in Lyon). You pay for it with the fact that he clearly dislikes a certain style of cuisine (traditional haute-cuisine, essentially) and is hardly impartial in his judgement. You can get over that by learning to filter what he says accordingly.

Much worse, however, is that reading him is a bit like reading a student of Derrida who is not good enough to be a movie or literary critic and has to take what he can get (food writing), clearly resenting it.

Francesco

[John Talbott]

By coincidence, I read "Comment..." yesterday.  It is hilarious and perceptive and great fun.  I'll be glad to provide some notes in English when I get the opportunity.

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It's now posted here.