Shrink in the Kitchen

Why Talk about Food When There’s a War on OR The Gourmet’s Guide to Berlin, circa 1941…Scott Haas Analyzes The Bunker Mentality

Shrink in the Kitchen header image 3

About

Scott Haas is the author of “BACK OF THE HOUSE,” a book about the psychology of being a chef and working in restaurants (Berkley/Penguin).  His other books are: “Hearing Voices” (Dutton) and “Are We There Yet?” (Plume); he is also a co-author of “The Da Silvano Cookbook” (Bloomsbury).   He won a James Beard award in 2004 for his radio work.  His work appears in a variety of publications, including Wine Enthusiast, Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Sewasdee, and Gastronomica.  He has a doctorate in clinical psychology and maintains an active consultative practice emphasizing diagnostic work in psychiatric hospitals and urban communities of color.   He is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, but can be found in Japan as often as possible.

 

BACK OF THE HOUSE is available through these retailers:

http://www.amazon.com/Back-House-Secret-Life-Restaurant/dp/0425256103/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_1_XQXY

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/back-of-the-house-scott-haas/1111431592?ean=9780425256107

http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Back-House/Scott-Haas/9780425256107?id=5597567771859

http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780425256107

 

 

14 Comments

14 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Robert // May 15, 2009 at 9:03 pm

    I do very much appreciate your work Scott…when I read about the wine, cheese and other delicacies you write about – i can basically smell them through your words – keep it up!
    Best, Rob

  • 2 Abbie // Jan 27, 2010 at 5:01 am

    250 books!?

    Would you consider donating any of them?

    Future Chefs is a Boston-based scholarship and mentoring non-profit for motivated high school students wishing to pursue a career in the culinary arts. It’s an extraordinary program that’s empowering the next generation of chefs.

    Cookbooks, food novels, historical accounts of food cultivation/production, chef biographies, etc are an invaluable resource for culinary students, foodies, and chefs alike and I’m sure they would be extremely grateful to receive such a gift.

  • 3 Toni Elka // Feb 1, 2010 at 10:36 am

    Thanks so much for thinking of us, Abbie. Books about food are nourishing!

  • 4 The Secret Life of a Restaurant | Radio Boston // Feb 26, 2013 at 11:36 am

    [...] Scott Haas, a food writer and a clinical psychologist, who combined both backgrounds to paint an intimate, complex portrait of one of Boston’s most notable chefs, Tony Maws, owner of Central Square’s Craigie on Main. [...]

  • 5 Gene Esterkin // Mar 1, 2013 at 6:22 pm

    Hi, just wondered if you are the son of Walter Haas, and Flo Haas, formerly of Plainfield, NJ. If so, then hi. I was your father’s friend when you and your sister were born.

  • 6 scott // Mar 2, 2013 at 7:04 am

    Yes. Where are you living now?

  • 7 Gene Esterkin // Mar 2, 2013 at 1:22 pm

    I am still in nj, about 10 miles from the pennsylvania border. I like it very much here. I have been retired for 19 years. The plainfield area is not the same anymore.
    Iris and I were very happy with the move.
    Unfortunately I lost Iris 2 years ago.
    Tell me about Heidi and your folks.

  • 8 Danielle // Apr 18, 2013 at 11:03 am

    I had a quick question. Is the Japan For Food Lovers website yours? How often do you go?

    Thanks!

  • 9 scott // Apr 19, 2013 at 5:24 am

    Yes. at least once a year. Why?

  • 10 Danielle // Apr 19, 2013 at 3:39 pm

    I was just curious as to how you found the time! I think it’s wonderful that you enjoy Japan and its food enough to want to show it to other people. :-)

  • 11 This Week on Good Food: The Restaurant Show – Trois Mec Reservations, Kitchen Culture, Portland’s Smallest Restaurants | Good Food // Apr 19, 2013 at 4:21 pm

    [...] Noah Ellis weigh in on the Red Medicine twitter scandal. Newcomer chi SPACCA wows Jonathan Gold. Psychologist Scott Haas paints a portrait of the back of the house and KCRW Producer Evan George profiles a new program [...]

  • 12 scott // Apr 20, 2013 at 6:31 pm

    It is my favorite place to travel to, and I learn something new with each visit. Have you been?

  • 13 Danielle // Apr 25, 2013 at 3:23 pm

    I have, yes. :-) I only managed to hit the hot spots of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, unfortunately.

  • 14 scott // Apr 25, 2013 at 4:22 pm

    Tokyo & Kyoto are spectacular, of course. Next up: The mountain inns!

Leave a Comment