This reminded me of a book I read several months ago, so I brought it back on my kindle and read it again. It was difficult the first time and no easier now. Behind The Kitchen Door is not for the squeamish. Saru Jayaraman hides nothing when she talks about the deplorable conditions in restaurant kitchens around our country. She followed the experiences of restaurant workers in New York City, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Miami, Detroit, and New Orleans. She interviewed those that were abused and those that fought back. She showed how the poor treatment of these workers affects the food we eat when we sit in all restaurants. Many restaurants force workers to work through illnesses. Not only are they docked when they take sick days, but often they are fired. It doesn't take an investigative journalist to figure out what happens to us when people handling our food have a cold, the flu or hepatitis.
While many Americans are very aware of how their chicken, veal and beef have been treated, they tend to forget about the humans who handle the food they eat. It is great to make sure our restaurants use organic and farm to table ingredients, but we, as a society, need to carry that concern a bit further. If you never thought about it before, I guarantee that this book will open your eyes. It is not a light book, but it is an interesting one that every American should take the time to read.
- Beverly
Publisher - ILR Press; 1 edition
Date of Publication - February 12, 2013