Astonishing book, worthy of standing next to George Orwell's Down And Out In Paris And London
– the Daily Mail (Book of the Week)
Chisholm's story is immersive and often thrilling ... He's a fine writer
– the Wall Street Journal
Kitchen Confidential for Generation Z
– Fortune Magazine
Visceral and unbelievably compelling
– Emerald Fennell
A tough little book (…) but important
– Financial Times
Compelling reading
– The Times Literary Supplement
A WAITER IN PARIS
Go below the surface of one of the most iconic cities in the world and right into its glorious underbelly.
The Parisian waiter inhabits a world of inhuman hours, snatched sleep and dive bars; scraping by on coffee, bread and cigarettes, often under sadistic managers, with a wage so low you're fighting your colleagues for tips. Colleagues - including thieves, narcissists, ex-Legionnaires, paperless immigrants, wannabe actors and drug dealers - who are the closest thing to family that you've got.
Photo of author with obligatory bookcase and roll neck sweater
Author｜Screenwriter｜Copywriter
My name is Edward Chisholm, I am an English writer actively developing film and TV projects, whilst working on my next novel.
My first book, A Waiter in Paris, which explores the hidden world of Parisian kitchens and the people that animate it, was published worldwide in May 2022.
In 2021 I was selected by Canal+/StudioCanal to be one of eight screenwriters to attend their Cannes Series Institute Writers Residency for development of my TV series Trespassing.
In 2010 I graduated from the School of Oriental and African Studies, London. Soon after I moved to Paris. Here began ‘the descent’ during which I spent years doing all sorts of jobs, notably waiting tables, but also bar work, market hand, museum security guard, film extra, selling fish, flogging soft porn, gigging in dive bars, working on a building site, teaching English, and a couple of days when I was paid in cash to tail someone around Paris.
My written work has appeared in The New York Times, the Guardian, Telegraph Weekend Magazine, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times magazine, Air Mail, Times Literary Supplement and the Daily Beast.
I have also appeared on television, radio, podcasts and literary and film festivals.
I’m a failed musician that enjoys mountains, speaks fluent French and likes to imagine passable Italian.
For books I am represented by Gordon Wise, for TV & Film, Jethro Thompson both at Curtis Brown Talent & Literary Agency, London
And finally, I am available for freelance creative, TV, editorial or copywriting jobs internationally.
