**Trailer:**

Laurie Woolever’s *Care and Feeding* is more than a memoir—it’s a raw, unflinching journey through the high-stakes world of food, fame, and personal reckoning. From her years working alongside culinary giants like Mario Batali and Anthony Bourdain to her own battles with addiction, Woolever pulls back the curtain on the industry’s glamour to reveal its darker truths. Now, as she steps into her own voice—through writing, podcasts, and cookbooks—she reflects on power, grief, and the hard-won lessons of survival.

**Paraphrased Digest:**

Laurie Woolever is preparing for a book tour to promote *Care and Feeding*, her deeply personal memoir about her career in the food world. The book explores her experiences working with high-profile chefs like Mario Batali and Anthony Bourdain, delving into the industry’s reckoning with misconduct and the complexities of fame. It’s also an intimate account of her struggles with addiction and self-discovery.

Now sober and thriving, Woolever co-hosts the podcast *Carbface* and collaborates on cookbooks, including one with British baker Richard Hart. In an interview, she discusses how the book’s title reflects her role in nurturing—and surviving—relationships with powerful men, as well as her own growth. She also touches on the evolving portrayal of kitchens in pop culture, from *Kitchen Confidential* to *The Bear*, and why honesty, not fiction, was essential to telling her story.

Through *Care and Feeding*, Woolever offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the food industry’s highs and lows, while reclaiming her own narrative.**Trailer:**

Diving into the past can be both painful and illuminating. In this raw and honest reflection, the author revisits their younger self—a time of addiction, self-doubt, and reckless decisions. Through old journals and emails, they uncover moments of humor, regret, and deep sadness, realizing just how far they’ve come. But honesty isn’t easy, especially when confronting past mistakes, toxic relationships, and the weight of judgment—particularly as a woman and a mother. Yet, in reclaiming their voice, they find freedom, even when it means exposing uncomfortable truths about powerful figures who once dominated their world. This is a story of survival, self-forgiveness, and the courage to tell the whole truth.

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**Paraphrased Digest:**

The book explores a period marked by addiction and personal struggles. Revisiting those memories was possible thanks to detailed journals and old emails, which brought back a mix of emotions—some amusing, others painful. Looking back, the author feels a mix of nostalgia and relief, recognizing how much they’ve grown since their turbulent 20s and 30s.

Describing themselves as an “addict-in-training,” they reflect on their younger self with tenderness. Back then, they were plagued by self-doubt, sabotaging their own potential through substance abuse and reckless behavior. Now, they feel protective of that past version, understanding the naivety behind bad decisions that kept repeating.

The author acknowledges the growing number of women’s narratives about addiction, grateful to contribute to the conversation. As a mother, they faced extra scrutiny, but their child’s well-being ultimately pushed them toward change.

Honesty was a challenge—both in life and in writing. Past dishonesty, especially in relationships, contrasts with the clarity sobriety and 12-step programs brought. Early writing often masked truth with humor, but now, authenticity takes priority.

The book also touches on navigating the shadows of dominant male figures in their career. Finding their own voice meant overcoming fear—especially when criticizing powerful men like Mario Batali, whose influence once silenced them. With their mother gone, there’s a bittersweet freedom in sharing unfiltered truths.

Revisiting Batali’s complex legacy—both as an abuser and a mentor—was difficult but necessary. The author wanted to portray the full picture, acknowledging their own role in the dynamic while refusing to gloss over harm. It’s a story of reckoning, resilience, and reclaiming one’s narrative.**Trailer: The Complex Legacy of Anthony Bourdain**

Anthony Bourdain was a man of contradictions—charismatic yet difficult, generous yet demanding. To some, he was a monster; to others, a mentor. But the truth, as his longtime collaborator Laurie Woolever reveals, was never black and white.

As his assistant and co-author, Woolever witnessed Bourdain’s meteoric rise—his creative freedom, his relentless travel, and the exhausting toll of fame. He could be cutting, but also hilarious. He craved solitude yet thrived in the spotlight, adored by fans and chefs alike. His influence reshaped food culture, yet behind the scenes, the pressure was immense.

When Bourdain died, the world mourned a legend. But for those who knew him intimately, grief was layered—with admiration, frustration, and an understanding of the man behind the myth. His legacy endures, inspiring travelers and food lovers to see the world with curiosity and depth.

This is the untold story of Anthony Bourdain—not just the icon, but the human being.**Paraphrase:**
The true impact isn’t about selling merchandise like T-shirts or candles—it’s about striving to represent America more positively abroad, even though that’s challenging these days.

**Trailer-style Paragraph:**
*Imagine a world where food media breaks free from its old elitist chains—no more stuffy French truffle features or gendered dismissals of home cooking. Today, the culinary spotlight is brighter and bolder, celebrating Korean street food, Argentinian grills, and the vibrant soul of global cuisines. The table is set for everyone, and the definition of “American food” has never been more deliciously diverse. Hungry for change? Dig in.*

**Note:** The “Care and Feeding” and “$27 BOOKSHOP” lines appear unrelated to the main text and may be standalone references. Let me know if you’d like those incorporated differently!