BACK OF THE HOUSE The Secret Life of a Restaurant

Psychologist and writer Haas takes an incisive look at well-known chef Tony Maws, winner of a James Beard Award, and his Boston restaurant, Craigie on Main. Johnny Heller's straightforward narration makes the chef sound like just one of the guys, a style that is well suited to the rough-and-tumble situations and principals associated with a professional kitchen--but perhaps too much so. Whether it's the unadorned writing, which is little more than a catalogue of things that happen, or Heller's down-to-earth narration, this otherwise fascinating story comes up short on maintaining the listeners' engagement for the long haul. There's good stuff here, but be warned--it will require some patience. W.A.G. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2013]