Jeremy King’s Without Reservation is a memoir that distills half a century of experience in hospitality into broader lessons on life, leadership, and resilience. Drawing on his journey from co-founding London landmarks such as Le Caprice, The Ivy, and The Wolseley to more recent ventures, King reflects on the art of communication, empathy, and decision-making. Through anecdotes of hosting cultural icons and navigating crises, he shows how restaurants serve as microcosms of society—teaching patience, discipline, and the value of human connection. Warm, witty, and insightful, the book is less a manual on running restaurants than a meditation on how hospitality can illuminate universal truths about people and relationships.
We discussed the the anecodtes, the slightly pompous style, although there were some interesting bon mots dropped in amongst the tales. An interesting book that created an interesting discussion.
Marks out of 10: between 6 - 8
Words used to describe it: pompous, very interesting, nostalgic, encycolpedia of anecdotes, entertaining, insightful,
Next Book
In Ascension by Martin MacInnes
Next Meeting
49 Delorme St - Rowena's
15th January
