Welcome to Litsy!

In the vein of Blood, Bones & Butter and Kitchen Confidential, the unexpected, thoroughly engaging journey of a young misfit who, as a purveyor of truffles and other highly-desired specialty foods, built a devoted clientele of New York's chicest chefs and restaurateurs. A self-described oddball kid from Arkansas, Ian Purkayastha found his true calling when he learned to forage mushrooms and tasted his first truffle. An instant passion for the delicacy sparked an improbable yet remarkable journey to New York to become the leading truffle importer in America in the dynamic and sometimes shady world of the exotic food trade. Today, at age 23, Ian has built a multi-million dollar specialty foods company with clients as renowned as Jean-Georges Vongerichten and David Chang. As "farm-to-table" becomes "forest-to-table," Truffle Boy provides a unique view into the world of luxury sourcing, while delivering a coming of age story that will charm foodies and business readers alike.