My Last Supper

50 Great Chefs and Their Final Meals

by Melanie Duneau

If you were fated to die tomorrow what would you want for your last meal? It’s an amusing game mulling over such details as the food, the setting, whom to share this momentous occasion with and one not surprisingly played by many chefs. Acclaimed photographer Melanie Duneau posed the question to 50 of the top names in the culinary field - those chefs who have elevated the craft of preparing food into art - and in doing so provides us with a collection of revealing, insightful and engaging profiles.

Duneau asked each chef to respond to the following set of questions; What would be your last meal?
What would be the setting? What would you drink? Would there be music? Who would be your dining companions? Who would prepare your meal? It is an eclectic group and the responses naturally vary wildly and through providing details on such a personal experience each chefs reveal much of themselves. It makes for compelling reading and comparisons - for examples, who prefers the Rolling Stones over Bach for music, or Versailles versus home in front of the telly for the setting.

It is a beautiful book of photographic portraits and images of each chef are striking, particularly given the book’s large format. Through the creative composition and setting used for each profile shot the author gives us a glimpse into the essence of their response and hence their personality. Some favorites are, Anthony Bourdain leaning against a stark brick wall looking both menacing and vulnerable with nothing to cover his nakedness but a dino sized bone. Martin Picard cuts an atypical chef shot on a cold November morning in a barren Quebec forest in his hunting gear, his successful kill thrown over his shoulder. And, the profile section closes with the legendary Guy Savoy smiling mischievously accompanying his note declining participation on the grounds the he has a ‘phobic rapport with death, and because of this, will never discuss my last meal!”

Following the profiles there is a section of recipes based on the chef’s chosen meal. Organized alphabetically by chef, there are such diverse offerings as Ferran Adria’s Cod Foam with Honey Flavored Baby Onions; Raymond Blanc’s Maman Blanc’s Apple Tart; Anthony Bourdain’s Roast Bone Marrow and Parsley Salad and Thomas Keller’s Roast Chicken. The favorite dish of the top chefs in the world pulled together in one book, pretty exceptional. These are recipes both to inspire and have some fun with.

My Last Supper is a book to be relished and enjoyed for offering insight into a unique group of people who share a commonality in their love of food and as a collection of beautiful photographic portraits. 

I thought this book was pretty neat. It’s an interesting concept to consider—what would YOUR last meal be? I’d go for a rare juicy rib eye steak with pommes frites, wild mushroom sauce and a simple salad. To wash it down, several bottles of a nice heavy red wine. ~ Cheers, Brandon
PS: The picture of Anthony Bourdain is priceless…

Comment by Brandon W. on 11/16/2007 at 04:08 PM

I also liked this book.

Comment by Biau on 02/25/2008 at 05:15 PM

Abstract

A review of the book 'My Last Supper' by Melanie Duneau pertaining to chef biographies, last meal, chef photographs, chef portraits, cookbooks, recipe book, cook books, Melanie Duneau recipe books, book reviews and recipes.