Fireproof

De: Curtis Duffy, Jeremy Wagner - contributor

Narrado por: Stacy Carolan

Fireproof charts Chef Curtis Duffy's rise in spite of trauma, to being mentored by and recognized among the world's top chefs. Amid childhood chaos in rural Ohio, a young Duffy first found refuge in Home Ec class, then at one of Columbus's best restaurants, where he honed his skills. His passion ignited, Duffy was dead set on leaving Ohio and breaking the Duffy family curse. But the tragic deaths of his parents jeopardized his promising trajectories. Summoning extraordinary fortitude, Duffy ate pain, graduated culinary school, and moved to Chicago to work in Chef Charlie Trotter's kitchen—a hotbed of talent that produced prominent alumni such as Grant Achatz, Graham Elliot, and Homaro Cantu. Inspired by stellar peers and staging for Thomas Keller at the French Laundry, Duffy's drive only grew. His meteoric rise would cost him a marriage—the price of ambition, focus, and Grace restaurant. Grace earned three Michelin stars four years in a row, solidifying Duffy's place as one of the world's greatest culinary artists. But in a heartbreaking act of defiance, Duffy walked out after disputes with Grace's owner. Unstoppable, Duffy created Ever restaurant—a launch nearly derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Duffy persisted where many others would have resigned their craft, and Ever earned two Michelin stars from 2021-2024. Duffy was ranked one of the "50 Most Powerful People in American Fine Dining" in 2024 by the Robb Report.

©2025 Curtis Duffy (P)2025 Dead Sky Publishing

a powerful story of breaking the cycle

I often got lost in the chapters and enjoyed the authors writing style. I think it would have been easier to follow if things went chronologically instead of bouncing around, that'smy biggest complaint. Overall a great first book by a talented chef about overcoming a difficult upbringing and breaking the cycle.

Forever choose grace to move forward

I have been fortunate to dine at Grace and Ever. The experiences will be with me always. I also dined at Charlie Trotter’s, Moto and Le Francais and the mentions gave me more depth to his stories about Chicago area chefs and those incredible talents. I am also very aware of how to survive after a family suicide. It took me a long time to understand that it was not a selfish act, but a mental illness that is so suffocating you can’t see the next inch in your life. So many people cannot understand this unless you’ve seen it up close and experienced all the ripple effects long after. I’m so glad Curtis was able to push through everything to get to his own peace. This made it possible for him to breathe in the new people that now make up his life. So wonderful he has his Ever, Jen, his family & Michael. Look forward to new adventures in my hometown, Chicago. I love fennel too!!