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Summary: It's all true!
Review: I just came back from a week in Culinary Boot Camp at the CIA in Hyde Park, NY. After speaking to students in the dorms, peeking in on classes, and my own experiences with the chefs and staffs, I can tell you that this book paints a pretty acurate portrait of life at the CIA. Cooking isn't always easy or pretty!
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Summary: Truly Entertaining
Review: I first stumbled accross this book at the public library and checked it out once and read it in record time. I checked it out a second time and read it again. I wanted to read it a third time and purchased my own copy so the librarian wouldn't think I was too strange! I enjoyed hearing tales of the students' successes and failures and watching their progression through the program. Michael's book makes my desire to change careers and attend culinary school even stronger, but it also brings the reality of the demands of a culinary program to light. A must read for anyone interested in culinary school or those who truly love to cook!
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Summary: If you like cooking read this book!
Review: The Making of a Chef (Mastering the heat at the Culinary Institute of America) is a supurb account of life at the institute. It demonstrates the true devotion needed to become a Chef. This book is a great read for anyone who loves to cook, even if they don't plan on attending cooking school. Give it a read and see how you like it.
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Summary: Michael hits the nail on the head with this one.
Review: Take it from someone who was right there with him in the skill development kitchen. Michael was under the same pressures as everyone else in the class and was graded the same way.Because he decided to attend the class as a student, he felt the same frustrations and relished in the same achivements that we all did. I was fortunate enough to speak with Michael on several different occasions during his time at the CIA and I can tell you he was very through in his fact seeking questions. Reading the book is like re-living the experience all over again. Great job Michael. Looking forward to you next work.
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Summary: Very interesting reading, not just for cooking school...
Review: I enjoyed Mr. Ruhlman's story-telling ability, to take events and wrap them into an interesting book. I haven't read any other food-related book (Such as Mary Frances Kennedy Fisher). I think it has changed (improved) my perspective on food and eating, so I would say it is not "just for CIA" candidates.
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Summary: I laughed, I cried, I stood up and cheered!!!!!
Review: And then after all of that I read it again. This book was and is truly amazing! It is a definite must read for anyone wishing to train and work in the field. I read this book in my first semester of College at a SUNY school, when I was doing a lecture series on cooking for a communications class. After reading this book, now I wished I had opted to attend the CIA as originally planned(It's a pity that they don't have accomodations for single mothers with small children).Now my nephew is considering persuing a career in Culinary Arts and I handed him this book. He's already excited about the prospect of being a chef! Everything Rulhman writes about regarding working in the food industry is true, demands are made on you to preform on que. And forget the holidays you celebrate the day after. I work in a restaurant kitchen right now, it does take a special breed of people to support feeding hundreds of mouths a night while standing baking in 120 degree heat. But I wouldn't have as much fun any other place!!!
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Summary: Great Book -- Very well written.
Review: An intriguing and fascinating "behind-the-scenes" look at what happens at the CIA. I really enjoyed how the book not only detailed portions of the curriculum, but also the personal sacrifices and challenges faced by both the students and the chefs at the CIA. A truly enjoyable read.
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Summary: absolutely amazing book
Review: before i was even half way through this book, i was wishing i was out of culinary school instead of getting ready to start. i only wish now that i could go to the cia instead of locally. the writing in this book really makes you feel like you're part of the class instead of hearing about it from someone who knows someone who knows..... you get the idea. an amazing read.
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Summary: Definitely worth reading...
Review: I am currently a CIA student. Started here in October of 1998. I read this book over the summer before starting school and I LOVED the book. Ruhlman writes very well. He made it very apperant that passion is the cornerstone to the Culinary Arts. If you want to be a chef, you've got to have a passion for it. Otherwise, you're just a cook. Having said all this, however, I can see that the book would have been so much better if he had gone through the entire program and endured exactly what we real students have to endure. It's not easy, but it is more fun than I have ever had in my life. I didn't realize how great it really was until I was two months into the program. As I've said, Ruhlman paints a pretty picture about the experience, but it gives you a different view of the school than you expect to receive once becoming a student here. Anyway, it's definately worth it, just don't have too many expectations.
Rating: 
Summary: A decent account of life at the CIA
Review: I graduated from the CIA and respected this author's attempt at explaining what a unique place it is. Keep in mind that he did not endure the entire program, but he gives an accurate account of his experience. I really enjoyed his detailed explanation of the cirriculum- there's a lot to learn- and his profiles of the chefs who create chefs. You must read this book if you are even considering this profession.
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