Yes, Chef! Autobiographies of Famous Chefs, Cooks and Foodies
- Brittany Bartel
- Oct 12, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Jan 13
My husband and I live in the country, meaning we don't have any immediate neighbors. All of our family lives at least 300 miles away. I also work remotely for a start-up which means I can go most of the day without seeing another human (in person) and my job can be pretty demanding, leaving little time after work for socializing.
While living in a rural town and working remotely has its perks—peace, quiet, and no humans—it can also come with a sense of isolation.
Technology/social media helps us to stay in touch but it’s not the same as having the our friends/family nearby. That’s where podcasts and audiobooks come in. I put on my walking shoes, get the dog leashed up and walk for miles listening to the triumphs, uncertainties, risks, joys that someone else has gone through. With the books mentioned in this post, I also get to learn different recipes, how restaurants work, and get creative ideas for meals/desserts... Listening to these stories makes me feel less isolated, more connected, while living in our country home.
Here are autobiographies that I laughed and cried with and that have also filled me with creativity in the kitchen!
Food/Chef/Cook Related Autobiographies
Click the titles for links to the books on Amazon/Audible.
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I listened to this full book in 3 days, I couldn't wait for the next opportunity to listen (dog walk, doing dishes, folding laundry)! Ina is warm and unpretentious. "Be Ready When the Luck Happens" covers her childhood where, interestingly, food had no flavor and her parents were not kind to her. She then meets her soulmate, Jeffery, and gets married and falls in love with hosting dinner parties. Eventually she takes a job in the White House but is unfulfilled, until one day she sees an ad for a specialty food shop for sale in the Hamptons. The Barefoot Contessa. That is the beginning of the career that we all know and love her for! Must read!
Lesson learned: When hosting a VIP for dinner, serve a home-cooked, traditional meal - think meatloaf. They will likely appreciate the simplicity and lack of pretense. "How easy is that?"
I have fond memories of listening to this book on a crisp, sunny, winter day while walking my dog - beautiful book about an amazing woman! Julia Child's memoir covers her years in France, where she discovered her passion for French cuisine. She paints vivid pictures of her life with her husband, Paul, as they learn and become accustomed to the Parisian lifestyle. The book delves into her journey from culinary student to the creation of her cookbook, "Mastering the Art of French Cooking." You may have heard of it, yes? 😆 It’s a bright account of her love for food, learning, and persistence... And, of course, it is filled with Julia Childs quirky charm.
Lesson Learned: Homemade mayonnaise always tastes better!!
By far my favorite out of all these books, I have listened to this book 3 times so far and I'm sure I'll listen to it again soon. Actor Stanley Tucci’s memoir blends his love of food and family with anecdotes from his life and career. From his Italian-American upbringing to his travels, Stanley shares stories, favorite recipes, and insights into how food has shaped his identity. With extreme wit and warmth, "Taste" explores how cuisine connects us to our roots/culture. Stanley has a dry sense of humor that will have you chuckling throughout the chapters - great read.
Lesson Learned: Always pair pasta types with the correct sauce!
"Spaghetti: Salsa pomodoro con tonno (tomato sauce with tuna), carbonara (bacon and egg), vongole (clams, shown below)
Rigatoni: Beef-based ragù, all’Amatriciana (tomato, guanciale, pecorino)
Ditali: Salsa pomodoro con piselli (tomato sauce with peas), salsa pomodoro con cozze (tomato sauce with mussels)" (Tucci, 2021)
This book will make your hungry! What I Ate in One Year by Stanley Tucci is a beautiful reflection on life, told through the meals he enjoys over the course of twelve months (literally... he must have written down every meal!). From dinners in restaurants, to casual, comforting meals cooked at home, Stanley’s experiences with food are intermingled with the emotions of that day. Whether it’s sharing a meal with family, the bittersweet memories of his late wife, or the pure enjoyment of a perfectly prepared dish, each page meal is a story. With humor, wit and warmth, Tucci shows how food becomes a way to mark time.
Lesson Learned: Pasta can, and should be eaten for all meals!
Janine Marsh’s memoir recounts her decision to leave behind her fast-paced London life/career for a slower, more fulfilling existence in rural France. With humor and charm, Janine describes the challenges of renovating a farmhouse, embracing French culture and cuisine, and finding joy in simple pleasures.
It is my dream to one day move to the countryside in Europe, listening to this book only fueled that fire for me. I have listened to this book twice, both times when I was very stressed about work, it's a peaceful, easy listen that will have you dreaming of France.
Lesson Learned: Take the risk! It could be the best decision of your life!
Many laughs and cringeworthy moments with this book, its not a repeat read/listen for me but it is worth reading/listening. In "Tender at the Bone," Ruth Reichl, former editor of Gourmet magazine, shares her early life and culinary experiences. From her chaotic childhood to her career as a food critic, Ruth’s memoir is filled with anecdotes about the people and meals that shaped her love for food. Her humorous storytelling brings to life the transformative power of cooking and eating.
Lesson Learned: Don't leave crab meat out of the freezer for 2 days then serve it to party guests. 😂🥴 You HAVE to read about it. Oy!
This was a beautiful read/listen, the way Gabriel talks about the food of her childhood makes you yearn to hear more and also cook! In this gritty and lyrical memoir, Gabrielle Hamilton recounts her unlikely path to becoming a chef and owner of the acclaimed New York restaurant, Prune. She reflects on her tumultuous childhood, rebellious adolescence, and the winding road that led her to the culinary world. "Blood, Bones & Butter" is a raw/vivid story of self-discovery, food, and survival, written with honesty and passion.
Lesson Learned: Stay true to your passions, no matter how unconventional, it'll pay off in the end!
This book give wonderful imagery of French dining, it'll make you want to book a flight immediately to go experience it for yourself! Chef Eric Ripert’s memoir traces his journey from a difficult childhood in France, to becoming a world-renowned chef with countless Michelin stars. "32 Yolks" captures the challenges Eric faced, both personal and professional, as he honed his craft in demanding kitchens. The book is a beautifully written, it demonstrates Eric's passion for food, discipline, and the resilience it takes to reach the top of the culinary world.
Lesson learned: Mastering anything requires humility and resilience. This is a lesson I have to relearn a lot!
"Give a Girl a Knife" by Amy Thielen is a memoir that chronicles her journey from a small town in Northern Minnesota to the high-pressure kitchens of New York City’s most prestigious chefs. Growing up surrounded by her mother’s rich, butter-laden cooking and inspired by her grandmother’s stories of farmhouse meals, Amy eventually develops a deep passion for food. This obsession leads her to the culinary world of "haute cuisine", where she hones her skills under well-known chefs. Despite her success in the city, Amy finds herself drawn back to her rural roots, realizing that her true culinary identity lies in the simple, hearty foods of her upbringing. This memoir explores how one’s past and where they grew up shape both their personal and professional journey.
Lesson Learned: Our roots can provide a great sense of identity and play a powerful role in who we become (whether we like it or not).
This book will have you in tears a few times but it is so worth it! In this memoir, actress Tembi Locke shares her love story with her late husband, Saro, a Sicilian chef, and how she found healing through food and family after his death. "From Scratch" is a heart-wrenching and heartwarming story of love, loss, and the deep connections we find through food and culture. Tembi’s vivid descriptions of Sicily, coupled with her emotional journey, make this a powerful memoir about resilience and rebuilding a life after tragedy.
Lesson Learned: Community and tradition can be very consoling when faced with overpowering grief.
This book is stressful, in the best way!! Gives the reader/listener the experience of a high-end restaurant that will make them view fine dining very differently! Michael Gibney offers a thrilling, hour-by-hour look at life in a professional kitchen. "Sous Chef" takes you inside the intense, fast-paced environment of restaurant kitchens, following the pressures and triumphs of a single day in the life of a sous chef. Written with energy, Michael’s memoir brings to life the demands, creativity, and camaraderie of being on the line in one of the most demanding professions.
Lesson Learned: As much as I have dreamt of it, I really don't want to work in a restaurant. Ha!
If you listen to chef/cook memoirs, or books about food/cooking, what book is your favorite?
Please let me know if there is one that is not listed that you have loved! Always looking for my next read/listen.
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