Out to Lunch

Levy is a self-described ""Foodie,'' a term he and Gael Green are co-credited with coining. Foodies not only love to eat, but revel in the science, history, geography and lore of food, all of which veteran British food-and-drink writer explores in this hilarious collection of essays originally published in Punch, A la Carte, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and the London Observer. His eclectic material covers a kitchen fire, an unplugged freezer and his baby daughter's first restaurant meal. Peopled with family, friends, hosts, restaurateurs and other fellow Foodies, the entertaining essays reflect Levy's intense sociability. He is interested as well in the psychological and sociological aspects of food. In typically intimate fashion, he describes his weight-loss sessions with a psychiatrist; a piece on bulimia is particularly sensitive and educational. Levy manages to infuse his work with his personality, yet is never egotistical. The book glows with his curiosity, intellect and wit. (October)