The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! đ
kimmeyer's review against another edition
5.0
I'm totally neutral on food writing, but this book is so good! Kwame has this young audacious confidence, but he doesn't shy away from writing about his abusive father, his college time drug dealing, the poor possibly racist treatment in the very few restaurants he ever worked in before opening one, and the quick demise of his first venture. The writing here is really solid and the story is interesting. I listened on audio and highly recommend it, but may buy a print copy just to put on my favorites shelf. And each chapter ends with a recipe.
aksej972's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
allieuofm's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed it but the narrator definitely seems to be playing the victim a bit throughout. Lots of excuses for why he failed. Granted, there seems to be some truth to the shade thrown but there isn't a whole lot of responsibility owned by Kwame himself. That said, he's had a storied life and career and the narrative definitely drove the book. I would love to eat at one of his restaurants some day, and this made me want his cookbook even more.
jennifermreads's review against another edition
4.0
I feel like I say this a lot but it is true: Book Riot Read Harder Challenge for the win AGAIN. While I was initially intrigued when I saw the original version of this title published, it was languishing on my TBR. Iâm not a huge reader of nonfiction and read, maybe, one memoir a year. But when my favorite reading challenge puts for the âread a food memoir by an author of colorâ? Well, my drive to âwinâ and check-off each of the challenges meant I was bumping this book into the âread it in 2021â pile. Then I saw the adaptation for young adults cross my library desk in the âreviewsâ pile. âOk,â I thought, âIâll read that version instead.â
I went into the book knowing absolutely nothing about Kwame Onwuachi. I donât watch cooking shows, I especially donât watch cooking competitions, and, frankly, I only cook when I absolutely have to. Hey, I married a guy who loves to tinker in the kitchen ⌠why should I cook when I donât like it?
I came out of this book having a clearer picture of Kwameâs childhood and path to becoming a chef. The YA adaptation gave the broad strokes of his story, but I felt like maybe I would have enjoyed the full-version more â and that teens would also get more from the full-version. The problem with adaptations for younger readers is that, without reading both versions, you have no idea what was cut or changed. Were his time with the gang and his stint with dealing drugs given more detail in the longer version? What about his time in Nigeria with his grandfather? Did he go even deeper into the racism that exists in the kitchens cooking our food?
Regardless of my âwhat did I miss out on by reading a shorter versionâ feeling at the end, I felt like I knew this talented chef. I hope, someday, I am able to eat in one of his restaurants and experience his Kwame-food (not Nigerian, not creole, not American ⌠Kwameâs cuisine).
I went into the book knowing absolutely nothing about Kwame Onwuachi. I donât watch cooking shows, I especially donât watch cooking competitions, and, frankly, I only cook when I absolutely have to. Hey, I married a guy who loves to tinker in the kitchen ⌠why should I cook when I donât like it?
I came out of this book having a clearer picture of Kwameâs childhood and path to becoming a chef. The YA adaptation gave the broad strokes of his story, but I felt like maybe I would have enjoyed the full-version more â and that teens would also get more from the full-version. The problem with adaptations for younger readers is that, without reading both versions, you have no idea what was cut or changed. Were his time with the gang and his stint with dealing drugs given more detail in the longer version? What about his time in Nigeria with his grandfather? Did he go even deeper into the racism that exists in the kitchens cooking our food?
Regardless of my âwhat did I miss out on by reading a shorter versionâ feeling at the end, I felt like I knew this talented chef. I hope, someday, I am able to eat in one of his restaurants and experience his Kwame-food (not Nigerian, not creole, not American ⌠Kwameâs cuisine).
rhinoceroswoman's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.0
As much as he talked about his sister, it took me forever to realize this is the same chef that opened Tatiana! Very Bronx coded
notesonbookmarks's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. I think Kwame has a unique perspective and I'm glad for this book, I just wish he gave himself more time to season and marinade (see what I did there?) through his life experiences. This book would be richer for it.