A Waiter in Paris : Adventures in the Dark Heart of the City

SHORT LISTED FOR THE ACKERLEY PRIZE FOR AUTOBIOGRAPHY ***’This astonishing book describes a cruel, feral existence and is worthy of standing on the shelf next to George Orwell’s Down And Out In Paris And London (1933) as another classic about human exploitation.’ – Daily Mail’Chisholm’s story is immersive and often thrilling … He’s a fine writer.’ – WSJ’Kitchen Confidential for Generation Z’ – Fortune’An English waiters riveting account of working in Paris’ – Daily Mail’Visceral and unbelievably compelling’ – Emerald Fennell’Vividly written and merciless in its detail’ – Edward Stourton’An excellent book’ – Strong Words magazine’A completely fascinating read and feels like a the book Anthony Bourdain would have written’ Rosie Kellet’A Dickensian tale of a young man’s trial by fire in a French bistro gives rise to biting commentary on Parisian culture in Chisholm’s intoxicating debut’ – Publisher’s Weekly’Ah, Paris… gastronomie magnifique and… insane shit going on behind the scenes. A Waiter in Paris charts Edward Chisholm’s jaw-dropping experiences while serving tables in the French capital, a demi-monde of sadistic managers, thieves, fighting for tips and drug dealers. Seems like not much has changedsince George Orwell worked the same beat.’ – Evening StandardA waiter’s job is to deceive you. They want you to believe in a luxurious calm because on the other side of that door… is hell.

Edward Chisholm’s spellbinding memoir of his time as a Parisian waiter takes you below the surface of one of the most iconic cities in the world and right into its glorious underbelly. The waiter inhabits a world of inhuman hours, snatched sleep and dive bars; scraping by on coffee, bread and cigarettes, often under sadistic managers, with a wage so low you’re fighting your colleagues for tips.

It’s physically demanding, frequently humiliating and incredibly competitive. And with a cast of thieves, narcissists, ex-Legionnaires, paperless immigrants and drug dealers, it makes for a compelling and eye-opening read.

Shortlisted for the 2023 Ackerley prize.