Pretty much same here. I read Kitchen Confidential many years ago, and liked it. I also like the sort of French food he cooks (Paris Bistro with a bit of Haute Cuisine to one side, and a bit of countryside cooking on the other side). I always thought he was a dick, but interesting, etc. But I could see he was getting pulled into the politics (probably was always part of it, hence why he was anointed), and I just walked away from him, years ago.