Last Questions! Read "Fire Over England" and "West Coast" in A Cook's Tour

These are the last questions I'll give you for the class! So after this, you'll only have Paper #3 and the Final left to finish. Amazing how quickly it went! We'll discuss these last chapters on Tuesday/Thursday, and I'll give you an idea about what to expect on the Final as well (not a traditional final where you come to class, of course).

Answer 2 of the following:

Q1: Both of these chapters concern the "Evil Axis" of the food world as Tony sees it--the people who are actively trying to ruin the traditions and passion of food. Who are they, according to him? Why do they threaten the future of cooks both in England and America?

Q2: In "Fire over England," he showcases the chefs who continue to make "simple, unassuming, unpretentious--and absolutely and unapologetically English" dishes. Why is he so impressed with these chefs? And what, in his mind, makes them 'saviors' of their country's traditions? 

Q3: In the "West Coast" chapter, Tony berates those who look down on meat-based cultures by writing, "Being able to read these words, no matter how stupid, offensive, or wrongheaded, is a privilege, your reading skills the end product of a level of education most of the world will never enjoy" (240). Why does this underline one of his main grievances against groups like PETA and in some way vegetarians in general? Do you think he's fair in saying this, or is he missing the point? 

Q4: Clearly, he worships at the shrine of the great French chef, Thomas Keller. But why, specifically? How does he embody exactly the kind of chef Tony most strives to be, who makes the kind of food he thinks the world--and specifically America--most needs to eat?