Blood, Sweat & Asparagus Spears: The Story of the 1990s Restaurant Revolution

by Andrew Turvil

Elliott Thompson Limited Blood, Sweat and Asparagus Spears ABISBOOK Elliott Thompson Limited.

272 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication January 5, 2027

Reviews

[Jakub Boufal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having worked in the kitchen for 5 years in my youth, slowly rising through the ranks. I still have a fond memory and interest in the industry. I hence picked up this book interested in the 90’s and changing discord around restaurants in Britain.

Although this book has an interesting premise and talks about interesting stories that I never knew about (although a lot of these restaurants are quite well known). I was very disappointed about the layout of the book.

The writer chose to layout this book with every chapter being dedicated to an important restaurant with 4-8 pages on each restaurant. Although I can only assume this was a directorial decision to mimic the restaursnt writers past the format comes off at confusing at times.

There is no chronology and it does not flow well. In addition to this very few chapters talked about the restaurant that the chapter was meant to be talking about.

Although the writer tried to give us history surrounding what the restaurant represents,
It comes off as not very thought out. Take the chapter on The Ivy. The entire chapter is more focused on restaursnt reviews in the 90’s and The Ivy is only mentioned in passing at the end. Although it was interesting to hear about reviews being popularised in the 90’s and the impact it had on the restaurant industry, I just think it could’ve been laid out better.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look at the changing food/restaurant scene in Britain. Lovely to be reminded of some memorable meals I've enjoyed at a number of the restaurants mentioned!