Molly Birnbaum had a mission. She wanted to be a chef. Che spent her days working in Boston alongside a well-known chef, and her nights reading cookbooks ans studying food in preparation for her entrance to the Culinary Institute of America.
While taking a quick morning jog, all her dreams came to an end when she was hit by a car. The accident broke her pelvis, fractured her skull, tore her knee up, and destroyed her sense of taste and smell.
Her bones would heal in time… but her sense of smell and taste? That was another story. How could Molly become the chef she wanted to be if she did not have her sense of taste and smell? Molly quickly sank into a depression.
Then Molly made a choice not to sit back and let this destroy her. By researching and working with experts, Season To Taste is a story of triumph and overcoming enormous obstacles.
I read and reviewed this book as part of Weekend Cooking, found at Beth Fish Reads.
I read a couple of reviews on this book a while back and loved the sound of it. Being a foodie, and finding myself more and more fascinated with non fiction… I was sold on knowing more.
Molly tells an amazing story of a dream to be a chef and how in the blink of an eye, that dream was shattered. Most of us would probably have given up there and moved on to something more doable, but not Molly. Molly instead works hard to find out why she has lost her sense of smell and taste and that is really what makes this book a page turner.
As Molly describes food attached to memory, even my mouth watered at her descriptions of dark chocolate and bean scents wafting from coffee shops, sweet pastry’s and good seasoned spaghetti. I could not imagine putting these items into my mouth and sensing nothing but texture…
The research of smell and taste also intrigued me. On page 89 it was discussed how if we are eating something and we become sick our brain is programmed to remember that, making that taste and smell associate with the sickness. I can personally account for that. As a teen, I loved coconut… all things coconut. Then one eventing I remember clearly that I was babysitting and eating coconut right out of the bag (like you buy for baking). I had a flu bug that night and wound up throwing up … well… coconut. To this day – I can’t eat anything with coconut in it.
Molly’s journey from the accident to her strong desire to cook and bake causing her to learn all she can about scent and taste was an amazing one. Not only did I learn through this book much about how our senses work… but also about food, food that made me long to try some of Molly’s specialties this coming week.
Molly had a way about talking about food (as I think all good chefs do) that make you long for what they are describing…. I soon found myself making mental notes to pick up asparagus and fresh Parisian, longing for baked sweet potatoes, and lightly sautéed chicken breasts with mushrooms and wine.
Foodies beware… this book will make you hungry. You want to know about Molly Birnbaum? Check her out at her popular food blog: My Madeleine.
I purchased this book from Amazon
Book Journey 
This book is definitely on my wishlist!!
Kristen I enjoyed it and learned a lot about taste and smell.
This sounds like a very interesting read and also one you shouldn’t read when you’re hungry! 🙂
Right Megan! I actually trying to think of which of these items I could add to my Thanksgiving menu… 😀
Sounds delicious.
I think I was getting hungry while I read this Kathy… 🙂
Wow, so it’s a true story then …………..? The authors name is Molly? What an interesting and creative cover for the book !
Yes – you could read more about her at her food blog site…. it is an amazing story!
I’ve had my eye on this one…it does sound good.
I agree about the association of foods with illness…I can’t drink certain teas without feeling ill, since I associate them with being sick. The same with chicken soup.
I think that is so interesting Laurel… I used to really love coconut 😦
This looks great. I got a review copy awhile ago, but it hasn’t moved off the shelf yet. I like that she includes research about smell and taste — I love memoirs that do more than just tell personal stories.
I think this one will be one you really enjoy Kim.
Great review Sheila, I’d love to read this one. I can relate to the sickness association with smells. When I had my major kidney operation they gave us hot lavender towels every night. I now can’t smell lavender without wanting to vomit.
LOL – I know that is so not funny Sheree, but I can imagine.
Sounds like a great story. Interesting memoir, adding this to my list!
Oh good Carol – hope you like it!
I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed this book! I have this one in my TBR pile and I agree, the story she has to tale sounds fascinating and I love any book that has to do with food!
Then you will love this one! 😀
I was so fascinated with this book. It was surprisingly interesting and informative. Very readable.
I thought so too Beth. It really is fascinating how she fought her way back into the kitchen.
I actually listened to a segment on npr within the last couple of months in which Molly was interviewed for this book. I found it fascinating and now you’ve inspired me to look up her book. I’ll click over to her blog, too. Thanks for the review.
Thanks Christine! I would love to interview Molly as well.
This books sounds like it would be well worth reading. Thanks.
It really was Heather and I think I can refer back to it often. 🙂