Dad is Fat by Jim Gaffigan

I'm a fan of Jim Gaffigan. I've seen several of his stand up specials. His bit about Hot Pockets deserves a place in the Comedy Hall of Fame; if there is such a thing. Plus, I thought his tome Food: A Love Story was a literary classic for both lovers of comedy and food So when I came across another book from the comedian, I immediately jumped on it, expecting a big treat. Unfortunately, what Jim Gaffigan is to food, he's not so hilarious when it comes to fatherhood.

Let's back that up just a second. The guy has 5 kids with a woman that he will tell you is way out of his league. In no way am I saying that he's a terrible father or a strain on Earth's resources for having so many kids; though in this book , he argues that he is in some way both. Nor am I criticizing his parenting skills. I actually thought his making fun of children who bullied his kids at the park was rather brilliant. But when it comes to killing it in the being a dad is hilarious department, I felt like I didn't get my money's worth.

Mind you, I read this earlier in the month, leading up to and through Father's Day. Having experienced multiple miscarriages with my bride and that all my parents and grandparents are passed, that's a rough time of year for me. So maybe I was a little distanced from the experiences of the author. But I don't think that's entirely the case.

Gaffigan covers junk food, birthday cake and eating out with little ones along with other aspects of parenting. Those segments are the best of the book. I got the most laughs. Through food, though as personal insights instead of sharing a meal, I felt as a kindred spirit. Those chapters I didn't want to end. Joking about having to ride the subway with 5 little ones just didn't amuse me.

Finishing Dad is Fat, I really wanted to read his next book. I figured it would make up for the parts I felt were lacking. Unfortunately, Jim Gaffigan has only written 2 books and I've read both! His wife Jeannie wrote a book. It's supposed to be funny. But it's also about her battle with cancer. Maybe it's dark humor? I could live with that. But above all, I want more books about food from the master himself...

Maybe there's a new special of his streaming somewhere...

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Food: A Love Story by Jim Gaffigan

   I used to be a foodie, but I'm not anymore. It's not because I don't like food anymore. My waistline is proof of that. The thing is I went from being a food connoisseur to a food artist the day I went to culinary school (and eventually graduated.) Now, I make my living as a sous chef.

   As a chef, there're tons of opportunities to go nuts. You feed people day in and day out. You attempt to create a work of art and people 'in the know' take it back because you put walnuts in a quiche or didn't make a bacon tomato grilled cheese that way their mom used to. In order to keep from going ape poop crazy either personally or on a customer you've got to find humor in things.

   That's where this book comes in. I've been a fan of Jim Gaffigan's for a while now. His bits on the various VH-1 I love the (insert decade here) series left me in stitches. Then one day a few years ago, I heard Gaffigan's epic take on the culinary oddity called the Hot Pocket and a love affair was born.

    Tim Allen is the manly man's comic. Larry the Cable Guy and Jeff Foxworthy are the redneck's comic. Well, Jim Gaffigan is the foodie and chef's comic. Though I've never gotten to see him in person, I've seen several of his specials and I must say he's pretty special.

 'Food: A Love Story' is filled with many of Gaffigan's bits about food. Along with a chapter devoted to the Hot Pocket, there's the comedian's take on cake (it needs booze), his feelings on take out, and his battle with not knowing how to say no. There's quite a lot of new stuff that I've not heard of the comic's stand-up routines so this book was like unearthing a director's cut of one of Gaffigan's Comedy Central shows.

    While Gaffigan points out the both the hypocrisy of the ultra-health nut food craze as well as the problem with our nation's obsession with fast food, I wasn't always agreeable to his ideals and ideas 100%. The comic pokes fun at pretentious food and food fads. He seems to not have a favorable outlook on them nor does Gaffigan really seem to understand food fads. But as a chef, I'm always experimenting with new trends because in order to keep up with the public's demands you've got to have your finger on the pulse of what's hot and new in food.

     For example, I hate kale as much as Gaffigan does. But right now it's the in super food. So, that means I got to cook with it. It just doesn't mean I have to use it every day or go insane and make a kale gazpacho with a kale brownie crumble either. Besides, it's those food fads that will sometimes lure your customers into your establishment. And let's not forget that hot dogs, waffle cones, and hot sauce were once considered food fads. Now they're everyday items around the house.

   The great thing about Jim Gaffigan is that he's clean. Not everything he talks about is for all age groups. But I just read 340 pages of his stuff and I don't remember very many swears and the f-word was nowhere to be found. Unless you count the word 'fat.'

    This book is Gaffigan's second work. Speaking of fat, the name of his first book is called 'Dad is Fat.' After really enjoying this funny tome, I want to find it. I just hope it's as much as a treat as this edition was.

     Lastly, I want to throw something out there just in case this review ever stumbles across Jim Gaffigan's way. I really think 'Food: A Love Story' would make a great series on History Channel or Travel Channel. I see it as a cross between a history of food show mixed in with some cooking segments and a peppering of Gaffigan's humor in between. It would be like Seinfeld meets Man Vs. Food. If Jim ever does make a series based on my idea all I ask for is the following: an autographed book, two tickets to a show, and to be in one episode of the series.

  Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.