MISFIT CHEF

A chef’s candid memoir, with a small selection of luxurious recipes on the side.

DeStefano begins his book by describing his childhood relationships with food and community. His grandparents owned Millie’s Market, a grocery shop in East Boston. The generous atmosphere of the store, a neighborhood hub, infused his ideas about what food should do: bring people together. With this passion for connection, the author aspired “to create a space where food could be social.” In 2008, he achieved this dream by opening Christopher’s Table, a prepared-food and provisions shop in Ipswich, Massachusetts. DeStefano ran his business by the seat of his pants, which led to innovation and joy, but also to the end of the enterprise six years later. At the restaurant, he followed whatever seemed like a fun idea, including cooking classes, a culinary tour of Paris, dinners served on a farm, and drag shows. These significant events form the six main chapters, each recounting a memorable incident that encapsulates the shop’s spirit of adventure. Each episode is complemented by one or more related recipes, including “Blackberry and Thyme Margarita,” “Red Wine–Poached Pears with Mascarpone Filling,” and “Tom’s Date Night Seared Salmon With Maple-Soy Glaze.” Each dish is intended to be aspirational and sumptuous but within reach of even a novice chef. The hybrid of memoir and recipe book is an appealing twist on both genres. DeStefano’s storytelling style is exuberant and candid; the selection of recipes is eclectic, making it good source material for a special occasion but less helpful for general meal planning. Some readers might wish for a more in-depth book, but for those looking for lighter fare, the balance is perfect. Numerous glossy photos complement the text, which will be of particular interest to loyal customers, friends, and community members, who will recognize their local Massachusetts food scene.

The joy of bringing people together through food is infectious in this enthusiastic memoir.