Chef Interrupted

In April 2001, Trevis Gleason was a chef on the rise, teaching at institutions such as Cornell University and California Culinary Academy. Then one day, just as his career was entering rarefied air, he suffered a stroke-like episode and was diagnosed with incurable Multiple Sclerosis. He lost everything – his job, his marriage, even his perceived persona. Instead of falling to pieces, he saw an opportunity to fulfil a long-postponed dream: he put his life in Seattle on hold and moved to the wilds of west Kerry.

He rented a 160-year-old stone cottage in ‘The Town’ and, braving sheep-obstructed roads and tapping into his profound passion for food, learned that his life, his loves and even his dreams weren’t lost – just waiting to be rediscovered.

This moving memoir reveals the challenges and joys of living with a disease in a small Irish town. Trevis surmounts physical setbacks and cultural differences with self-effacing wit, serving up life’s lessons and his favourite recipes one tasty chapter after another. This is a story not of survival, but of living life to the full. Trevis’ humour in the face of his changed life is sure to inspire, and have you coming back for seconds.

In April 2001, Trevis Gleason was a chef on the rise, teaching at institutions such as Cornell University and California Culinary Academy. Then one day, he suffered a stroke-like episode and was diagnosed with incurable multiple sclerosis. Trevis' humour in the face of his changed life is sure to inspire and have you coming back for seconds.