I Hear She's a Real B*tch

By: Jen Agg

Narrated by: Jen Agg

A sharp and candid memoir from a star in the restaurant world and an up-and-coming literary voice.

Toronto restaurateur Jen Agg, the woman behind the popular The Black Hoof, Cocktail Bar, Rhum Corner, and Agrikol restaurants, is known for her frank, crystal-sharp, and often hilarious observations and ideas on the restaurant industry and the world around her.

I Hear She's a Real B*tch, her first book, is caustic yet intimate and wryly observant - an unforgettable glimpse into the life of one of the most interesting, smart, trail-blazing voices of this moment.

©2017 Jen Agg (P)2017 Penguin Random House Canada

Critic reviews

"Whatever Jen Agg says is worth listening to. As owner of Toronto's excellent The Black Hoof, she's one of the most vocal and interesting observers of the peculiar subculture of the restaurant business. I Hear She's a Real B*tch is the book a lot of us have been waiting for. A terrific, beautifully written, frank, and funny memoir, and a compelling argument for pulling down the long outdated system of 'bro' culture that has dominated the industry since what feels like the beginning of time." (Anthony Bourdain)

"Jen Agg's I Hear She's A Real B*tch could help change restaurant culture.... Call her a bitch? She'll take the word and redefine it for you as an empowering adjective. Don't think workplace sexism is a real thing in restaurants? She'll organize a whole conference around the issue, as she did in the fall of 2015 after a Toronto pastry chef launched a human rights complaint over sexual harassment allegations at a King Street restaurant, and call it Kitchen Bitches.... If a generation of cooks followed Kitchen Confidential into the industry on the promised glory of good times and hard living, for largely different reasons - because restaurant ownership is so desperately lacking in diversity and because kitchen culture could sure use a change - with hope, I Hear She's a Real B*tch will do the same." (The Globe and Mail)

A delightful gem!

I stumbled across Jen’s book in the library and was delighted to find it on Audible (read by the author!).
I’ve since recommended it to countless friends. Jen’s perspectives on business, life, feminism, and privilege are clear and concise - though she makes sure to acknowledge and leave room for the grey that comes with each.
It was also refreshing to hear local Toronto and Montreal places referenced - an experience I don’t often get in literature.
This is a surprising read that is deeper than it appears, though never gets too serious - a balancing act that she has perfected. It deserves your attention.

Meh

I felt like the author was just defending her decisions throughout the entire book. It didn’t feel like a well thought out story whatsoever. Insecurity seeps through and I wouldn’t consider the author “a real bitch”, just childish and impulsive. The book was just barely interesting enough to finish.

Great insights

Always enjoy hearing from a strong woman in the restaurant business. She has a way of looking at the food world that reminds us of how hard it can be and yet if we keep our desires aligned we can do anything.

Great knowledge

The author gave an amazing perspective of the daily hustles of owning and operating a restaurant, and she takes it a step further opening multiple restaurants with different themes. Love the name selection, and the ideas for her new restaurants.  A little too much feminism  but the point is very well understood.

example of pissy feminism at its best

A perfect example of pissy first world feminism not really doing anything of substance. Do a shot for every time she says feminism, white male, patriarchal society or glass ceilings. You'll have to rush to the hospital for alcohol poisoning. Do not waste your money. it's actually sad because the chapters when she talks about food are amazing and you actually feel the passion behind her words.
nevertheless, I can say after hearing her tell her story. no, no Jen isn't a Bitch. she is a straight up cunt who emotionally manipulates people to get her way. No joke, she even admits this in various chapters in the book.

A little misleading....

this is less "kitchen confidential" and way more "why I am successful despite the patriarchy, disloyal men and stupid chefs who disagree with me"....I am impressed with the achievement in a tough business but
" I was right , you were wrong "
may be a better title perhaps? anyway it was suggested and I bought it...lesson learned I suppose ..