Where I Come From

Life Lessons from a Latino Chef

By: Aarón Sánchez

Narrated by: Aarón Sánchez

Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's Summary

America’s most prominent Latino chef shares the story behind his food, his family, and his professional journey

Before Chef Aaron Sanchez rose to fame on shows like MasterChef and Chopped, he was a restless Mexican-American son, raised by a fiercely determined and talented woman who was a successful chef and restaurateur in her own right - she is credited with bringing Mexican cuisine to the New York City dining scene. In many ways, Sanchez, who lost his father at a young age, was destined to follow in his mother Zarela’s footsteps. He spent nights as a child in his family’s dining room surrounded by some of the most influential chefs and restaurateurs in New York. At 16, needing direction, he was sent by his mother to work for renowned chef Paul Prudhomme in New Orleans. 

In this memoir, Sanchez delves into his formative years with remarkable candor, injecting his story with adrenaline and revealing how he fell in love with cooking and started a career in the fast-paced culinary world. Sanchez shares the invaluable lessons he learned from his upbringing and his training - both inside and outside the kitchen - and offers an intimate look into the chaotic and untraditional life of a professional chef and television personality. This memoir is Sanchez’s highly personal account of a fatherless Latino kid whose talent and passion took him to the top of his profession. 

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2019 Roux, Inc. (P)2019 Audible, Inc.

Swearing unnecessary

Did not appreciate random “F” bombs that ruined an other wise good story. Total unnecessary. As a result I did not get past the 2nd chapter.

What a journey. Honest and open.

I’ve always been interested in Aarón as a chef because we are both from the Southwest (I’m from Albuquerque) and like him, I grew up with a Mom who made the best Mexican food.
The love he has for his entire family can be heard in his voice and his words.
A few points that were so honest and stuck with me were;
• His dad and the description of him being a functional alcoholic
• Buddhism and how he embraces it
• His divorce and the feelings of despair but knowing it was over
• How unfair and unbalanced restaurant kitchens are towards women

I loved hearing about his journey. It was never easy and he stumbled but he didn’t crash. The description of food, his childhood, mother, trips, and people. All so detailed that you felt like you were there in the experience.
I’m a big memoir reader and this is one of the most interesting and descriptive books I’ve listened to.
Thank you for your honesty and gift to the world of food.

Excellent Articulate Author

I enjoyed this book immensely. I would have liked to have fewer ‘f’ words but realize sadly that it must be ‘chef’ talk.
I hated to have the book end, but the positive message came through.
I am excited to see what the future holds for Sánchez.

Smiles for miles...

I've often wondered how one can connect to books without reading them over and over...well here it is!! officially ready to listen all over again.

Hungry?

this was a great story. I love the way he talks about the food in the spices.

Entertaining & Encitefull

This was a good listen, Aaron Sanchez is a pretty interesting dude! His life and stories are entertaining and encitefull. this book and his voice shows his passion for everything in his life. This is very much worth the purchase price!

Beautiful story of mentorship, family and roots

Absolutely loved this book. It was much more then an autobiography. I thought I was going to read a book about a chef and his recipes but this book hit home. They way he explained how important family is. How he took criticism or being reprimanded and turned it into positive life lessons. How he himself was mentored and mentors others. Sharing his gift with others. Loved loved loved this book.

As a former restaurant/kitchen worker, it's great!

Former chef of the 80'/90's, Aaron Sanchez's story is not only of great interest, it strikes all the right chords in recounting our struggle, as people, not even specifically as Latinos,

Chef writes

Amazing book ! I love Chef Sanchez and now that I know his story , even more so .. hope to meet him someday and visit his restaurant

amazing book

amazing book just wish to talk more about cooking. but he did have some amazing stories about the cooking Network and the early beginnings