{"title":"Matthew Batt","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to our collection featuring the works of \u003cstrong\u003eMatthew Batt\u003c\/strong\u003e, a distinguished author known for his introspective and heartfelt narratives. Dive into the captivating world of biography and memoir as you explore Batt's literary portrayal of life’s complexities and wonders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMatthew Batt gained acclaim with his book, \u003cem\u003eThe Last Supper Club\u003c\/em\u003e, a vivid memoir that blends humour and poignancy. Through this work, Batt invites readers into his personal journey, offering insights into family dynamics, food, and the inevitable transitions of life. His writing is both engaging and reflective, providing a unique perspective on everyday experiences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith a style that is both accessible and thought-provoking, Batt’s works in the biography and memoir category are perfect for readers who appreciate a blend of wit and sincerity. Delve into Matthew Batt’s collection and discover narratives that resonate with warmth and authenticity.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-last-supper-club-by-matthew-batt-9781517914851","title":"The Last Supper Club","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA witty and humble tribute to the sometimes profane, sometimes profound world of waiting tables\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDuring a year on sabbatical from his university position, Matthew Batt realised he needed money fast—and it just so happened that one of the biggest breweries in the Midwest was launching a restaurant and looking to hire. So it was that the forty-something tenured professor found himself waiting tables at a high-end restaurant situated in a Minneapolis brewery. And loving it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTelling the story of Batt's early work in restaurants, from a red sauce joint possibly run by the mob to an ill-conceived fusion concept eatery, \u003ci\u003eThe Last Supper Club\u003c\/i\u003e then details his experiences at the fine dining restaurant, a job that continued well past his sabbatical—that lasted, in fact, right up to the restaurant's sudden and unceremonious closing three years later, shortly after it was named one of the best restaurants in the country by \u003ci\u003eFood \u0026amp; Wine\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBatt's memoir conveys the challenge—and the satisfaction—of meeting the demands of a frenzied kitchen and an equally expectant crowd. Through training mishaps, disastrous encounters with confused diners, struggles to keep pace with far more experienced coworkers, mandatory memorisations of laundry lists of obscure ingredients, and the stress of balancing responsibilities at home and at work, \u003ci\u003eThe Last Supper Club\u003c\/i\u003e reveals the ups and downs of a waiter's workday and offers an insightful perspective on what makes a job good, bad, or great. For Batt, this job turns out to be considerably more fun, and possibly more rewarding, than his academic career, and his insider's view of waiting tables extols the significance of our food and the places where we gather to enjoy it—or serve it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTold with sharp humour, humility, and a keen sense of what matters, \u003ci\u003eThe Last Supper Club\u003c\/i\u003e is an ode to life in a high-pressure restaurant, the relationships that get you to the night's close, and finding yourself through—or perhaps because of—the chaos of it all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"NewSouth Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46846411505900,"sku":"9781517914851","price":44.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/11913393482728.jpg?v=1758909584"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/matthew-batt.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}