California Soul

An American Epic of Cooking and Survival

De: Keith Corbin, Kevin Alexander

Narrado por: Keith Corbin

JAMES BEARD AWARD NOMINEE • A sharply crafted and unflinchingly honest memoir about gangs, drugs, cooking, and living life on the line—both on the streets and in the kitchen—from one of the most exciting stars in the food world today

“Beautiful. Moving. Inspiring. Get it.”—Chris Storer, Emmy Award–winning creator of The Bear

A SALON BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

Chef Keith Corbin has been cooking his entire life. Born on the home turf of the notorious Grape Street Crips in 1980s Watts, Los Angeles, he got his start cooking crack at age thirteen, becoming so skilled that he was flown across the country to cook for drug operations in other cities. After his criminal enterprises caught up with him, though, Corbin spent years in California’s most notorious maximum security prisons—witnessing the resourcefulness of other inmates who made kimchi out of leftover vegetables and tamales from ground-up Fritos. He developed his own culinary palate and ingenuity, creating “spreads” out of the unbearable commissary ingredients and experimenting during his shifts in the prison kitchen.

After his release, Corbin got a job managing the kitchen at LocoL, an ambitious fast food restaurant spearheaded by celebrity chefs Roy Choi and Daniel Patterson, designed to bring inexpensive, quality food and good jobs into underserved neighborhoods. But when Corbin was suddenly thrust into the spotlight, he struggled to live up to or accept the simplified “gangbanger redemption” portrayal of him in the media. As he battles private demons while achieving public success, Corbin traces the origins of his vision for “California soul food” and takes readers inside the worlds of gang hierarchy, drug dealing, prison politics, gentrification, and culinary achievement to tell the story of how he became head chef of Alta Adams, one of America’s best restaurants.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“There is a lot of story to tell, yet there is no word wasted. . . . As I turned the final page of [Keith Corbin’s] riveting book, I felt exhausted by his race to stability, motivated by his fortitude and relieved that he is alive to tell the tale.”—San Francisco Chronicle

“As compelling or more so than Boyz N the Hood and Menace II Society . . . When Corbin writes about his life, it burns with the intensity of the best pulp fiction, but it isn’t fiction—it’s the life he lived. . . . Corbin’s story comes through without self-consciousness and in his own language, a language that isn’t the vernacular of the generic streets but the patois of those of us who grew up in Black Los Angeles.” —Los Angeles Times

“Keith Corbin has gone well beyond just writing a remarkable memoir. By refusing to impose a clean redemption narrative on his own experience, Corbin moves beyond the limitations placed on stories of Black lives in America. California Soul is a courageous book.”—Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, National Book Award winner and author of the #1 New York Times bestseller How to Be an Antiracist

“Keith Corbin’s California Soul is the kind of real-life story that—unless you come from the bricks—you never really hear. This is not just one man’s story. It’s a family story, a neighborhood story, an American story. And only through food can it be digested completely. Time to eat.”—Roy Choi, New York Times bestselling author, James Beard Award–winning host of Broken Bread and The Chef Show, and co-founding chef of Kogi, Best Friend, and LocoL

“Keith Corbin grabs you in the first chapter with the sheer rawness and authenticity of his description of what it’s like to live in Watts and in his shoes, and he doesn’t let you go until the last word. Corbin has a way of putting the reader in the moment—mind, body, and soul. This story has heart, and I never wanted it to end.”—Carla Hall, bestselling author of Carla Hall’s Soul Food and judge on Food Network’s Halloween Baking Championship

“In this exhilarating saga of drugs, crime, and culinary passion, Corbin traces his remarkable rise from a life behind bars to a successful career as a chef. . . . Readers shouldn’t miss this.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

The perfect memoir

California Soul stays with you after the last words are spoken. The life lessons, the vulnerability, the courage and, maybe most importantly, Keith’s clear view of each present moment—moments that become the future into which he (we all) step.

A good memoir reflects on a person’s life, bringing understanding and compassion for oneself.

As a pro memoirist who guides others to elicit their most important message to self and others, I’ve coaxed out hundreds of stories. A great memoir shifts perspective not only on your past, but on your gratitude for today, and “an open door” to view your personal history with kind, clear eyes, and look ahead, allowing the events on the other side of the threshold to inform you how to live well and intentionally author each new day.

Kudos Keith for honoring your life and encouraging and inspiring so many others, myself at the top of the list. 💖

I love how anyone can turn their life around.

I know I'm just an older white chick, but I really felt a deep connection to your story, Keith.
The way you turned your life around and learned from your past-it honestly moved me.
While I was reading, I found myself thinking back on my own life and all the mistakes I've made (some of them more than once). Your honesty and growth really hit home for me.
I've also learned so much about your culture-way more than I ever expected-and I'm genuinely grateful for that. And I've got to say, the food you talked about in the book? It sounds incredible. I'd love the chance to try it someday.
Thank you for sharing your journey—it really meant a lot to me.

Raw, Uncut Memoire of a Talented Survivor

Took some time to get into it. Initially felt like he was glorifying gang and drug life, but eventually he showed what I often say about the importance of luck, mentorship, and hustle in this and any industry.

I often see smart people miss opportunities because of their past or a mentor doesn't tutor them. Keith epitomizes luck. when opportunity meets skill. His intelligence he honed to survive streets and prisons served him when an opportunity to be a cook and restaurateur presented itself.

I've shared this book with friends and we can't wait to hear about Keith's life five years from now.

Powerful and truthful

An absolutely excellent experience. The struggles lead the story but told with such humility they don’t make the ride insufferable. Never been so eager to visit a restaurant as i am having just finished the book. Both to delight in what will surely be a marvelous meal and for the possibility of thanking Chef Corbin for sharing his life in this fantastic work.

Great Story, Great History Lesson

I love the way that Chef Keith Corbin has brought together historical facts about Black Culture in the Los Angeles are along with telling his story. He even gives a beneficial message to our white citizens.

If you haven’t been to Alta on Adams you must. It is only then that you have a deep appreciation for what this man has accomplished. And the food is amazing!!

Loved this book!

Keith’s book is a beautiful expression of all he has gone through in his life, the extremely rough parts and the successes. His story explains the struggles of poverty, incarceration , drug addiction. Being a minority, and other difficulties. All Americans would benefit from reading this excellent story.

Great story

This is a great story, and it makes me want to really check out his restaurants. Although I wish he would have gotten a professional actor to read the story.

A beautiful and intimate story

Keith brings us into his world in a such beautiful way walking us through his life!

Engaging, 5 star Narration

A no holds barred honest story of a young man growing up in Jordan Downs in South Central LA with gangs, drugs, and everything that shaped him, broke him, and a discovery for his love of cooking which led to his ultimate success as a chef. This story does not sugar coat anything and I loved every minute of this incredible story.

A book so good you’ll want to take the long way home to listen to one more chapter

Equal parts terrifying, moving, heartbreaking, and funny. Keith’s story will have you on the edge of your seat through every chapter. This is a must listen for every Los Angeles native, food lover, or human being with a pulse. Keith’s journey is exciting and his vulnerability is inspiring. Phenomenal listen. Thanks, chef!