The 2013-2014 UUA Common Read Announces BEHIND THE KITCHEN DOOR
By: Christina Mancuso Aug. 13, 2013
The 2013-2014 UUA Common Read selection is Behind the Kitchen Door by Saru Jayaraman. The book reveals how restaurant workers live on some of the lowest wages in America and how poor working conditions-discriminatory labor practices, exploitation, and unsanitary kitchens-affect the meals that arrive at our restaurant tables.
Blending personal narrative and investigative journalism, Jayaraman shows us that the quality of the food that arrives at our restaurant tables depends not only on the sourcing of the ingredients. Our meals benefit from the attention and skill of the people who chop, grill, sauté, and serve. Behind the Kitchen Door is a groundbreaking exploration of the political, economic, and moral implications of dining out. Jayaraman focuses on the stories of individuals, like Daniel, who grew up on a farm in Ecuador and sought to improve the conditions for employees at Del Posto; the treatment of workers behind the scenes belied the high-toned Slow Food ethic on display in the front of the house.
As part of the UUA's commitment to ethical eating and economic justice, Behind the Kitchen Door invites Unitarian Universalist individuals, groups, and congregations to advocate for just working conditions for the 10 million restaurant workers who bring passion, tenacity, and insight into the American dining experience. This book is available at your UUA Bookstore. Receive 10% off if you order 5 to 9 copies or receive 20% off if you order 10 or more copies. A Common Read invites participants to read and discuss the same book in a given period of time. A Common Read can build community in our congregations and our movement by giving diverse people a shared experience, shared language, and a basis for deep, meaningful conversation. A discussion guide will be available by October 1 with options for a single session or for three sessions.
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