THE GOURMET

From the author of the international bestseller The Elegance of The Hedgehog comes a mouth-watering tale delving into the life of a monstrous food critic. ''A foodie''s delight; just don''t read it when you''re hungry''Daily Mail''The exquisite descriptions of eating are like nothing you''ve read before'' Good HousekeepingAfter a lifetime of presiding over cowering chefs and pursuing sensual delights France''s greatest food critic is dying. Given just forty-eight hours to live Pierre Arthens has one last ambition - to recall the most delicious food to ever pass his lips an elusive taste from his childhood. From his luxury penthouse at 7 Rue de Grenelle Pierre casts his mind back over a lifetime of flavour: eating barbequed sardines with his grandfather; the warm crumbly pastry of an apple tart; his first taste of velvety sashimi. But orbiting around him are a cast of family and acquaintances each with their own story to tell about the greed and ruthlessness that has paved the way to Pierre''s search for the perfect meal.