What I Ate in One Year

(and related thoughts)

By: Stanley Tucci

Narrated by: Stanley Tucci

From Stanley Tucci, award-winning actor and New York Times bestselling author, a deliciously unique memoir chronicling a year’s worth of meals.

“Sharing food is one of the purest human acts.”

Food has always been an integral part of Stanley Tucci’s life: from stracciatella soup served in the shadow of the Pantheon, to marinara sauce cooked between scene rehearsals and costume fittings, to home-made pizza eaten with his children before bedtime.

Now, in What I Ate in One Year Tucci records twelve months of eating—in restaurants, kitchens, film sets, press junkets, at home and abroad, with friends, with family, with strangers, and occasionally just by himself.

Ranging from the mouth-wateringly memorable to the comfortingly domestic and to the infuriatingly inedible, the meals memorialised in this diary are a prism for him to reflect on the ways his life, and his family, are constantly evolving. Through food he marks—and mourns—the passing of time, the loss of loved ones, and steels himself for what is to come.

Whether it’s duck a l’orange eaten with fellow actors and cooked by singing Carmelite nuns, steaks barbequed at a gathering with friends, or meatballs made by his mother and son and shared at the table with three generations of his family, these meals give shape and add emotional richness to his days.

What I Ate in One Year is a funny, poignant, heartfelt, and deeply satisfying serving of memories and meals and an irresistible celebration of the profound role that food plays in all our lives.

Critic reviews

"Soon Stanley Tucci may be as famous as a food writer as he is as an actor. A nuanced narrator who plays with tone and tempo like a jazz musician, he knows how to be ironic, self-effacing, witty, and charming, yet his performance is most satisfying because of his restraint. Often he describes a dish as simply “delicious” rather than extolling its virtues. Happily, this candid diary-like memoir does not contain every day’s meals, meetings, outings, parentings. Tucci is a creative gourmand who is mischievous (he whispers his preparation of pigeon breasts) and masterfully ends each section with suggestions, recipes, appreciations, and observations. Since he’s an Italophile and pasta devotee, his greatest love is, of course, la cucina Italiana."

Stanley Tucci’s narration makes this book!

I love this book, the idea of it, the writing and the delivery. Hearing about all the wonderful things he ate. Hearing about all of the subpar things he ate. It’s all delivered up for our enjoyment. Anecdotes about his family, friends, places traveled, there’s nothing out about this book that I did not enjoy. Thank you Stanley Tucci!

Personal view into his life

Loved the book. Made me hungry and jealous of his great well deserved life .
Cannot wait for Stan in Italy 🇮🇹

Storytelling Laughter and Heart Melt

A great listen - after few early minutes of orientation and you’re off! This is the life of an affluent celebrity but do not be put off. This man is a storytelling gift who has lived six plus decades and all of their ordinary but beautiful loves and losses. This is what a family can look like and the fruit that can be harvested when there is prioritization of a family table.

Very fun and entertaining

Loved this book! I bought and read both his books so I had to get the autio books as well. I loved listening to these on audiobook. Makes me want to cook and eat well. I have always been a fan, even more so now. I can’t wait for the next! Please keep writing! I’m looking forward the the next season of “Whatever Italy”. Thank you Mr. Tucci.

Feels like sitting at a great dinner with a friend

Not only was the text captivating, but his pacing and passion came through every minute. I’ve been recommending it to everyone and now must turn my attention to his other books. Very much recommended.