A man's transition from errand boy in Sri Lanka to sophisticated restaurateur in London. It happens thanks to the influence of Ranjan Salgado, an aristocratic bachelor with an interest in things intellectual. At age 11 the boy goes to work on Salgado's estate as an assistant to the houseboy. Bit by bit he advances to become houseboy and cook, picking up in the process general knowledge and the art of conversation. By the author of Moonfish Moon.