117: Alasdair Gill Knives and Spoons - A Memoir of Addiction, Recovery & Hospitality | Reading is Political

This week on In My Good Books, I'm joined by chef, writer and journalist Alasdair Gill to discuss his memoir Knives and Spoons, as part of my Reading Is Political series.Alasdair's book explores life inside professional kitchens, the realities of addiction, and the long road to recovery. Through stories of restaurant life, family, food and sobriety, he reflects on the people who shaped him, the communities he found in hospitality and why kitchens can become both a refuge and a place where addiction is allowed to flourish.We talk about what really goes on behind the pass, why hospitality attracts so many people searching for somewhere to belong, the relationship between obsession, cooking and addiction, and why writing this memoir became an important part of Alasdair's recovery.As always in Reading Is Political, Alasdair also recommends books that have helped him better understand people, addiction, hospitality and the world around him.Books recommended in this episode:Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas – Hunter S. ThompsonThe Rum Diary – Hunter S. ThompsonWithout Reservation – Jeremy KingKitchen Confidential – Anthony BourdainThis Is Going to Hurt – Adam KayWhite Heat – Marco Pierre WhiteFind Ali here: https://www.instagram.com/aligill__/Buy Knives & Spoons: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/knives-and-spoons-a-chef-s-story-of-kitchens-addictions-and-mayhem-alasdair-gill/ed8f21fa754f5840?ean=9781037401435&bkshp-astro=t