Michael Laiskonis

Pastry Chef, Consultant, Writer, Creative Director at ICE, NYC

Like most of its residents, I too came to New York City from somewhere else. Im also fascinated by the citys history, which is why I enjoyed Kurlanskys book on two levels, as it tells the story of New York from the oysters point of view. Like his other books, Cod and Salt, Kurlansky expertly weaves history, culture, and politics into our influential foodways. Prior to reading The Big Oyster, I never knew of the bivalves role in shaping the city, yet I no longer look out into New York harbor without thinking of the day they might return.