So, You Want to Open A Restaurant? Drew Nieporent Tells All

Kevin West's The Cook's Garden offers a practical approach to home gardening aimed at cooks who want to grow ingredients they will actually use. The book emphasizes starting small and planning a garden around the time you have and the cuisine you cook, with approachable advice on herbs, vegetables, and using garden produce in the kitchen. West combines growing techniques with recipes and tips for using less-common parts of plants, helping readers maximize flavor and reduce waste. The book is rooted in the author’s personal gardening experiences and aimed at making cultivation accessible and rewarding. It serves both as a how-to gardening manual and an inspiration for integrating home-grown produce into everyday cooking.

I'm Not Trying to Be Difficult recounts Drew Nieporent's journey through the demanding restaurant industry, detailing his experiences as an impresario of 40 restaurants worldwide. The book provides insights into the challenges of managing temperamental chefs and working with celebrity partners like Robert De Niro. Nieporent shares his approach to creating a unique vision for each restaurant, emphasizing collaboration and the art of assembling a talented team. The narrative explores the balance between culinary creativity and business acumen required for sustained success in the competitive restaurant world. The story highlights the blend of luck and skill needed to navigate the twists and turns of building a successful small business.