Cellar Rat

My Life in the Restaurant Underbelly

by Hannah Selinger

Town & Country‘s Best Books of Spring 2025 | Kirkus Reviews’s Most Anticipated Nonfiction of Spring 2025

Most of us go out to eat at some point. We enter restaurants with expectations in terms of food, drink, and service, yet often don’t think about those who work hard to ensure our good meals. Recently shows like The Bear have offered a fictional insight into the restaurant kitchen.

Author Hannah Selinger fell in love with the restaurant business and went on to work at many top restaurants with many well-known chefs. Here she recounts some of her experiences. In addition, Selinger shares details of her biography.

The restaurant world comes to life in these pages. Readers experience both the front and back of house. They may feel differently the next time they go out to dine.

Some reviews have noted the author’s tendency to apologize for her “privilege.” If this will put a reader off because of its tone, fair enough. Others may enjoy this account even taking note of the disclaimers. Also be aware that the author describes her book as “creative non-fiction” so not necessarily all factually true. That said, readers can tell that Selinger considered writing as a career since she tells her story well.

Foodies will decide if this is of interest to them. It just may be.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 25 March 2025

From the Publisher