Life, on the Line

Renowned Chicago chef Grant Achatz's love affair with cooking has brought him to the pinnacle of avant-garde haute cuisine: molecular gastronomy. (He invented it.) His memoir--whose title is a reference to his recent struggle with tongue cancer--comes on the heels of his worldwide recognition as owner of the top North American Restaurant, Alinea. Johnny Heller's steady narration lacks the intensity of Achatz's style. Heller's voice should reflect the author's drive for culinary artistry as he recounts a life of food discoveries and encounters with gastronomic genius--from his childhood in professional kitchens to the opening of his trailblazing restaurants. Instead, Heller uses an even delivery, which lays out the story but lacks the passion of Achatz's gastronomic adventures. A.W. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine