Mouth Wide Open: A Cook and His Appetite

Mouth Wide Open collects food writer John Thorne's essays and musings on cooking, eating, and the role of food in daily life. The pieces range from recipes and ingredient explorations to deeper reflections on food culture and personal food memories. Thorne chronicles his experiences with various dishes and ingredients, from humble comfort foods to complex culinary projects. His writing moves between practical cooking advice and broader cultural observations about how people relate to food and meals. The essays take readers through Thorne's kitchen experiments, restaurant visits, and encounters with different food traditions and techniques. Each piece represents a moment of discovery or revelation about some aspect of cooking or eating. The collection examines how food connects to memory, identity, and human relationships, suggesting that our relationship with cooking and eating reveals fundamental truths about who we are and how we live. Through careful observation of daily food routines and special meals alike, Thorne explores the intersection of necessity and pleasure that defines our engagement with food.

Readers appreciate Thorne's thoughtful and personal approach to food writing, with many noting his ability to explore the cultural and emotional aspects of cooking beyond just recipes. Multiple reviews highlight his contemplative essays on simple foods like toast, eggs, and soup. Likes: - Clear, unpretentious writing style - Deep dives into food history and technique - Personal anecdotes that connect to broader themes Dislikes: - Some readers found certain essays meandering - A few mentioned the writing can be overly introspective - Not enough actual recipes for those seeking a cookbook Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (43 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (11 reviews) "Like having a long conversation about food with a knowledgeable friend" appears in several reviews. One reader noted: "Thorne writes about food the way M.F.K. Fisher did - with context, history and meaning." A critical review stated: "Gets lost in philosophical musings when I just wanted cooking advice."

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🍽️ John Thorne began his food writing career with a simple newsletter called "Simple Cooking" in 1980, which he wrote and distributed from his Maine farmhouse. 📚 The book's essays explore not just recipes, but the cultural, historical, and personal stories behind dishes ranging from mac and cheese to bouillabaisse. 🖋️ Thorne is known for his deeply contemplative, almost philosophical approach to food writing—quite different from the recipe-focused style common in most cookbooks. 🏆 Before writing food books, Thorne worked as a librarian, and this academic background often shows in his meticulous research and historical references. 🌟 The book's title "Mouth Wide Open" is a playful reference to both eating and amazement—reflecting Thorne's dual focus on the physical and intellectual pleasures of food.