RITZ AND ESCOFFIER The Hotelier, The Chef, and the Rise of the Leisure Class

Narrator Stefan Rudnicki's confident delivery and deep voice enrich this account of the two men who rose from humble beginnings to become the last word on elegance and good taste at the turn of the last century. The intertwined stories of César Ritz, a Swiss hotelier, and Auguste Escoffier, the original French chef, reflect not only the men's hard work and incredible ability to anticipate their clients' every need but also the influence of the nouveaux riches on European upper-class social norms. Much of this dual biography takes place at the London Savoy, where the pair both made their names and weathered scandal. Rudnicki easily handles the many European accents, while adding spark to the men's strong personalities. Get ready to put on the Ritz! C.B.L. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2018]