Yesterday a few different media outlets were reporting that Kate Moss might have a cookbook in the works. According to The Huffington Post via vogue.com, “Moss has reportedly been trying her hand at some traditional Jewish recipes – including chicken noodle soup, salt beef and potato latkes – with the help of Stasha Palos; the step-daughter of her Topshop boss Philip Green.”
I’m not one to get offended by stupid, petty things, but this offends me. First of all, you’ve seen Kate Moss, right?
I would actually consider the above pics flattering photos of her. She often seems emaciated and not terribly healthy. As my friend Kevin asked, “How many recipes can one make with Red Bull and cocaine?”
So, yes, I am offended by the thought of this “cookbook” on many levels. First, I’m personally offended by whomever might go forward and publish such a laughable tome. I love to bake and cook and eat and I can’t quite figure out what I could stand to learn from a woman I highly doubt knows much about any of those three things. Does the publishing world think we are all such celebrity whores these days that we’ll spend $20 or $30 on something just because it’s authored (and I use that term lightly) by a model?
Second, I’m offended for all the reputable bakers and chefs of the world who have spent years developing their craft. It takes time, dedication and skill to learn to execute exceptional food. Putting together a cookbook is no small feat either. There is the testing of recipes, the writing of copy, the photographing of food–it is a huge undertaking, a labor of love. Just because you tried out a couple of recipes in your kitchen doesn’t mean you should get a book deal. If it did, I’d have written and published about 84 cookbooks by now.
Third, I’m offended for wonderful writers struggling to get published. This whole Kate Moss thing reminds me of an episode of Run’s House I saw a while back. Run’s oldest son wanted to get a record contract and he did–because his daddy was Somebody. I have seen so many amazing musicians in my lifetime who remain unsigned because they aren’t famous and don’t know anyone famous enough to help them. I think maybe Kate Moss should step aside and let a cook or baker or writer who truly deserves a book deal take her spot. In my eyes, that’s the right thing to do.
A little piece of me wonders if Moss’ potential publisher isn’t the same one that attempted to publish O.J. Simpson’s “If I Did It.”
4/9/09 Update
12 responses so far ↓
Julie Q // April 7, 2009 at 7:25 am
wow I didn’t even hear about that cook book! that does sound silly
Yeah, it’s pretty stooooooooopid.
lacochran // April 7, 2009 at 7:30 am
“As my friend Kevin asked, “How many recipes can one make with Red Bull and cocaine?” ”
Hah! Good one.
Amazingly, I predict this cookbook will be a bestseller.
Your prediction makes me sad.
Elizabeth // April 7, 2009 at 7:55 am
So silly! I bet people will buy it anyway, thinking that if they eat what she recommends, they’ll look like her.
I really want to believe people are not that dumb. But alas, I have been proven wrong time and time again.
Helen // April 7, 2009 at 8:05 am
Never trust a skinny chef! That’s what the head chef from Fuego Mexican Grill, says–and in this case especially I think it applies.
He is a wise man! The only skinny chef I kinda sorta trust is Bethenny Frankel. She’s in really good shape and her food is healthy, but it’s still nommy.
SoMi's Nilsa // April 7, 2009 at 9:07 am
Not to mention, is Kate Moss even Jewish? Not that you have to be Jewish to cook Jewish foods, but ummmm, I can say her recipes would not become my cookbook bible.
You know, I wondered the same thing. From what I could gather on Google and Wikipedia, she is most decidedly not Jewish.
LiLu // April 7, 2009 at 10:49 am
I remember that episode of Run’s… it totally pissed me off too. And the Kardashians, and Nicole Richie, and the list goes on and on…
It’s like, “Hey! Look at me! I’m rich and famous and I hardly had to work for it!” Arghhhhhhhhhhhhh.
erin d.c. // April 7, 2009 at 1:56 pm
I don’t care for Jewish cuisine. My husband is Jewish and a damn fine cook and I still don’t care for Jewish cuisine.
BUT, I have a theory:
Jewish food tastes the same way coming back up and it did going down, so maybe THAT’s why Kate favors it.
And I completely understand where you’re coming from, but I think that talented people (chefs, musicians) are still going to go unsigned regardless of the fact that Somebody does gets signed. The get signed because of their celebrity and nothing more. Unfortunately.
That’s an interesting theory. You may be on to something.
People getting signed based purely on who they know makes me wanna barf. *urp*
Jessica // April 7, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Yeah Kate Moss giving me cooking advice is like asking Bernie Madoff for investment advice. No thanks!
Amen, sister. Amen.
Tom Cook // June 15, 2009 at 2:17 pm
An interesting concept this. Perhaps it will be published on cigarette paper with a handy ‘mirror’ within the inside back cover (for cosmetic purposes obviously..). Seriously, though, would people really consider Kate knowledgeable in cooking advice and recipes? I think not and Jessicas’ comment above really says it all.
Doesn’t it, though? That Jessica is a smart cookie!
Dani // August 13, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Something very common in Eating Disordered people is the interest/love of food. Just because they choose not to eat it doesn’t mean they don’t like food or experiment with it. It is quite the opposite actually.
Eating Disordered people spend MUCH of their time thinking about food. And many of them act on the thoughts by actually cooking. So who better a chef than the person constantly thinking about food?
That’s an interesting perspective. However, I still don’t think she’s the person to look to for good recipes or any kind of training. Part of the ability to make tasty food is actually tasting it on a regular basis to make sure it’s spiced correctly and the like. You have to eat a lot of food over a long period of time to refine your palate. Also, I think someone who writes a cookbook should be an expert who can give the reader tips to enhance their skills. Perhaps Kate Moss likes food and does experiment with it, but I’m still not convinced she’s qualified to write and sell a cookbook on an international level. Guess my point is kind of moot, though, since it turns out she’s not writing anything anyway.
Shmuley // August 24, 2009 at 9:04 am
Well I cook and eat a lot of Jewish food. Jewish food is Gorgeous, I mean who can go wrong with all that eggs, butter and fresh produce. Personally I wouldnt buy her book I cant beleive anyone would, I predict it will crash and be in the bargain bins within 3 months.
... // September 17, 2009 at 1:11 pm
shes hot though so its okay