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Behind The Kitchen Door (2013)

by Sarumathi Jayaraman(Favorite Author)

3.62 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

0801451728 (ISBN13: 9780801451720)

languge

English

genre

Food & Cookbooks

publisher

ILR Press

review 1: This is an worthwhile book talking about an important and widespread issue. While I'm glad I read it (and would recommend it) I found the combination of the discussion about the "slow food", local food, and organic food movements distracting from what I saw as the primary issue, the labor practices of this industry.I believe the authors see a consistency of issue involving the way food is sourced as well as the way that it is prepared and served but, to me, these are pretty separate issues and I think a focus on labor practices would have more impact (and, for me, would earn an additional star). There seem to be two patterns of abuse that emerge, small restaurants that mistreat their employees while they struggle with staying in business and large, professionally managed c... moreorporations that engage in deliberate predatory labor practices. In one case, helping small guys learn how to manage ethically might be effective, in the other, only PR and legal pressure can work. I read this book because it was selected as a "common read" by the Unitarian Universalist Association and I'm glad they selected it. It did it's job of raising my awareness and sensitivity. I just wished it seemed a little more focused on labor since IMHO it would have been more effective.
review 2: An eye-opening book about how poorly restaurant workers are often treated and paid. There has been a lot in the news lately about raising the minimum wage above the poverty level, but what is often not mentioned is that the minimum wage for tipped employees (including waitstaff at most restaurants) has barely been raised since I was a waitress during my high school and college days (way back in the late 70's) and currently stands at $2.13/hour in most states. The author introduces the reader to a number of workers and their specific situations and details the creation of a nationwide advocacy group she is involved with. Very interesting. less

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