Out of the Frying Pan is an empowering memoir that traces Gillian Clark’s rise from a beginner to a top chef. But managing a kitch... read full description
reviews
Jan 15, 2012
Lanette
rated it: 
This book left me feeling uncomfortable... like instead of a memoir, it was a way to get revenge on her ex-husband and series of ex-bosses and ex-employees. It also left my heart breaking for her daughters, who had been abandoned by their dad, and again by their mom (who at one point was able to spend a whopping FIVE HOURS a week with them.)
I also find it interesting that at the time the book was written, her Colorado Kitchen was in full swing. It closed in 2008. Her second resta More...
I also find it interesting that at the time the book was written, her Colorado Kitchen was in full swing. It closed in 2008. Her second resta More...
Aug 04, 2008
J.M.
rated it: 
From marketing consultant to cook in eleven steps.
Gillian Clark and her family stood in front of the burnt out remains of an old farm contemplating a future that would take her from her job in marketing and pleasing corporate clients to raising geese for upscale and trendy restaurants. She had just begun cooking school when everything fell apart. Her alcoholic husband, Hakim, walked out and left Gillian and their two daughters to fend for themselves. The farm went to another family. More...
Gillian Clark and her family stood in front of the burnt out remains of an old farm contemplating a future that would take her from her job in marketing and pleasing corporate clients to raising geese for upscale and trendy restaurants. She had just begun cooking school when everything fell apart. Her alcoholic husband, Hakim, walked out and left Gillian and their two daughters to fend for themselves. The farm went to another family. More...
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May 28, 2008
Beth
rated it: 
Inspiring story of a single mom and professional chef who eventually creates her own successful restaurant. The writing is a little haphazard--she needed a good development editor to help her pin down the structure a bit more, in my opinion. But her stories of restaurant kitchens, parenting, food memories, etc. are fascinating. The only odd thing: she never addresses the fact that she's a black woman in a white-male-dominated field. She had both male and female mentors but doesn't address the ge
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Nov 20, 2007
Catherine
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This memoir is written in a light, conversational tone and includes a lot of helpful information for anyone who may be starting a career in the restaurant business. Clark is blessed with the tenacity and perseverance required to pursue her passion to become a chef, while at the same time tackling the challenges of being a single mother to two young daughters. I wouldn't go so far as to describe the book as "Kitchen Confidential" from a woman's point of view, (probably because I'm suc
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Nov 29, 2008
Anne
rated it:
This was a quick read and had lots of fascinating anecdotes about being a chef and the innerworkings of professional kitchens.
I wasn't thrilled with her mothering tips, though.
I wasn't thrilled with her mothering tips, though.
Jan 02, 2008
Jessica
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Out of the Frying Pan is one part memoir and one part cookbook. When Gillian decides to go to culinary school she doesn't really think it will ever be a career for her, but when her husband leaves her and their children she decides to make a go of being a chef. After a few years working for other people she is able to scrap together enough money to open her own restaurant, Colorado Kitchen. Each chapter tells her story from a single mother barely scraping by to a successful restaurant owner a
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Dec 02, 2007
Fran
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This is truly an honest and inspirational story. I could not put it down. An easy read, but also a memoir with out the kidd gloves. That's very refreshing. She seems to know where she's going with this book and takes us all along. Funny, informative and recipes that (although I haven't tried them all) look like I can do them. All in all. I had a great time reading it and felt good when I was done. Now to try that cheescake recipe.
Dec 01, 2007
John
rated it:
This one's a sort of memoir-in-two-parts: culinary career and life-as-a-single-parent. Ordinarily, that's a tricky balancing act to pull off, but Clark succeeds in doing so. I don't know the woman personally, but she comes across as a highly motivated, really nice person. As a special bonus, she throws in several interesting, approachable recipes, with (relatively) simple ingredients. Highly recommended.
Apr 06, 2011
Corinna
rated it:
Pleasant, easy read with relating learned skills from her restaurant training to her challenges as a single mom. positive.
Aug 18, 2009
Dani
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The author's disjointed method of storytelling turned me off. The third chapter of the book, which was about her childhood and how she developed her love of cooking, should have been the first chapter. If it had been, then I wouldn't have struggled through the first 60 pages.
Oct 05, 2011
Diana
rated it:
A single mother goes from the corporate world to cooking school, and works her way up the ranks.
Interesting, though a bit frustrating due to some chronological goof-ups. The inclusion of real recipes is inspired.
Interesting, though a bit frustrating due to some chronological goof-ups. The inclusion of real recipes is inspired.
Jun 04, 2008
Sonia
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Mar 31, 2008
melanie (lit*chick)
rated it:
good story, recipes look really tasty. her restaurant is in DC, so on my list it goes...
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