California Soul

An American Epic of Cooking and Survival

By: Keith Corbin, Kevin Alexander

Narrated by: 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.

©2022 Keith Corbin (P)2022 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“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

“So much of Corbin’s writing . . . is what crime writers aspire to do, but the language and conventions of crime writing sometime seem stilted or manufactured. Reading California Soul is a different experience. . . . 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

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. 💖

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.

Raw and So Real

You put your heart and honesty out there and it is intriguing. Your journey is inspiring and I hope it reaches the masses!

A Remarkable Journey

I appreciate the honesty and vulnerability the author displayed. His story should be shared with anyone who feels defeated. With hard work and determination, you can turn your life around👏🏽

Authentic, Soulful, and Resonating.

Hearing Keith Corbin tell his story is powerful and resonates. He forged forward despite setbacks societaland self inflicted. His hustle is a superpower. It amazing to see him go from surviving to being intentional about thriving. A worthwhile read. I hope to meet him and try his food one day! I resonate with his hustle and his love of food.

Insightful, challenging and inspiring

I really liked the book as that the author read it! He is so insightful into his own life and so humble. The compassion, love and honesty he has toward the people in his community and himself is moving. He lets you into his community and experiences in a way they are accessible. Great book