I was reading some excellent writing tonight in the compendium "The Best Food Writing of 2006." Everything I read was clever, insightful and incredibly well written. I was inspired.
When I came home, however, I began hopping through the cooking blogosphere and came across the exact opposite. This excerpt made me cringe as I read it. I suppose it's gauche to trash another blog's writing, but part of the pursuit of excellence is having a critical eye, right? (I'm no Shakespeare, so I suppose I should keep my mouth shut...but I'm posting this anyway.)
"My bible contains the gospel of Herme, Baluger, Mason, Flemming, and I faithfully worship through the recipes in their books. I sing my hymns with a choir of whirring kitchenaids, the high rhythmic soprano of beeping timers, the constant alto of zipping blenders, and the baritone chugging of churning ice cream machines. My prayers are physical acts beginning with the holy bodies of butter, sugar, flour, and eggs. Sharing recipes is a cornerstone in my church of cuisine. I take so much inspiration from those who spoke the good word before me, no to give back would be a sin.
"That said, occasionally a dessert is born in my own kitchen, begat by my own two hands, that tempts me to sin. I delight in it's existence so highly that I think to myself, just this once, I'll keep it. I'll say 'Doesn't every hard working pastry chef deserve one cake that no one else can make? One little cake to call my very own?' "
Yuck.
Obviously, the writer was quite pleased with herself, and believes this to be good writing. It begs the question: how often have I written something that I thought was great, that caused others to cringe?
(Don't answer that.)
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2 comments:
Ouch - I know what you mean. I've definitely done that, only to discover it upon a re-reading a month down the road. It kind of makes you want to curl up and die - but live and learn. Sometimes all that emotion bubbles up into an over-sweet sentimentality.
Have you ever read any of M.F.K. Fisher's work? She's an excellent food writer. Just an excellent writer.
I have read some of M.F.K. Fisher's writing, but not enough to get a true sense of her ability. I've heard she's the best--time to buy a book.
I enjoy Ruth Reichl's writing. She's the executive editor of Gourmet Magazine. Good stuff, and Fisher is her model.
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