California Soul: An American Epic of Cooking and Survival

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.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Food, Biography Memoir, History, Audiobook, Biography

Audible Audio

Published August 16, 2022

Reviews

[Traci Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised by how much I liked this book. Keith Corbin has lived a life and shares it with us very openly. The writing was so engaging and really drew me in. There are parts that feel a little redundant and I don't need to hear the details of multiple dishes (but I get why its there). Overall very good. Oh and I listened on audio and Corbin's narration with fantastic!

[Carla Bayha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chefs and line cooks often burn out by the time they are forty. The physical demands of the job--the standing all day in noise and heat, the cuts and skin burns, the incredibly heavy pans in awkward places--there aren't many indoor jobs that take a greater toll on a body. So it's no wonder that it's hard to find  people that will work in that environment. Except maybe those from the worst indoor job of all--being a prisoner in an overcrowded, unsafe US jail, where keeping your body strong is a matter of protection and mental health. This is a remarkable memoir about how a maximum security prisoner --a crack cocaine cooking, drug trafficking, addict --kept his cocaine habits and a job in multiple restaurant kitchens, eventually making it to top chef and restaurateur to the stars. There is a refreshing gritty, honesty to Corbin's story about young gangs, idealistic patrons, and second and third chances.

[Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decided to borrow this on a whim because of the interesting looking title. Did not know a thing about the author or the book but it sounded interesting: Chef Keith Corbin became so skilled at cooking crack he was even flown across the country once to do the same for other drug operations in other cities. Eventually this catches up with him and he spends a decade in prison. This is the story of how he got there, how he got out, and how Corbin managed coping with this past.

While as a story this seemed super intriguing, overall the book was fairly dull. It seemed like there'd be a ton to mine: what it's like to cook in prison (and how creative you can be--there are YouTube videos of what prison recipes can look like and it's actually pretty interesting), how to navigate after leaving, the hardships he experienced before, during and after, etc. but maybe because he had a co-author, it just wasn't all that interesting.

That said, the book covers a lot of heavy topics including the justice system, incarceration, and more. It's probably not for everyone, but he's definitely a chef with a story that's far more interesting than perhaps your "average" celebrity chef.

Borrowed from the library and that was best for me. Bargain buy if you're interested in reading it on your own timeline.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great. A deep, no American dream bullshit look into the worlds of LA gang life and LA fine dining. Corbin’s eyes are wide open to the feel good stories people want to tell about him going from cooking crack to cooking in prison to cooking in and eventually owning his own critically acclaimed restaurants. He tells his own story, warts and all, with great emotional clarity, insight, & hindsight. I was particularly fascinated by the great detail he gives into incarcerated life in LA.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things the title and subtitle do not tell you or indicate what this book is really about:
1. Growing up in South Central LA
2. Recruited into a gang (which will rename nameless in this review)
3. Multiple family members murdered
4. Prison for armed robbery
5. Drug addiction

...yet the author finds his "rehabilitation" that prison claims to offer in our society once he gets out—working for a world-renowned chef in a restaurant, leading to the opening of his own restaurant. Another wonderful redemption story about overcoming your circumstances.

[Wendy'sThoughts]

4 Redemption Stars
* * * *
California Soul: An American Epic of Cooking and Survival by Keith Corbin; Kevin Alexander tells the tale of one man who actually was able to overcome the hurdles he experienced and gives a clear picture of what he experienced without pretty filters.

Corbin lays out exactly what he lived, and how it formed what he thought was available to him as a life; the ugly, and then the actual break in the cycle of his criminal experiences.

He was able to do more...yet there are so many who never are able to see through the ugly due to having no opportunities during their formative years. All these brilliant talented minds just waiting for another situation than what they have, would make such a difference.

An impactful read.

A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways

[Elizabeth Bartos · Rating 2 out of 5]

I began reading with great anticipation about the (bio) story of Keith Cobin. After being introduced to his life: where he lived, who he lived with and around, bad choices occur over and over and over again. Mr. Corbin finally decided to take care of himself and he made a better life for himself & his family. The story is real. The writers are simply trying to make a point.
I appreciate Corbins vulnerability, but it felt rushed & abbreviated.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A raw and visceral memoir that is definitely not for those who cannot handle swearing or violence. It helps that you know by the existence of the book that the author survives his many years in gangs, the drug trade, drug addiction, and prison, but, considering what he’s been through, it is truly amazing that he did. Some reviews complained about how much discussion there was about food, cooking, and recipe development but to me (as someone who loves food and cooking and the restaurant the author runs in LA, Alta Adams), I really enjoyed that element of the book.

[Ally Boyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a former chef I reckon I picked up Keith Corbin's 'California Soul' for my love of the culinary arts. However, I have been moved to my core through Corbin's brutal honesty of his life up to this point. This is so far from egotistical celebrity chef musings as you can get.
The author's introduction to 'cooking' at the age of thirteen in the Watts project of South Central LA was of the crack cocaine variety. There is no romanticizing of the gang culture, gun violence, jail time and deaths of friends and family here as the lid is ceremoniously ripped off the marginalised African American community striving to survive with the odds piled against them. His struggles with cocaine, being a man and father are totally transparent to the point you are 100% invested and rooting for this man. In a world where many masks are worn particularly by those in the public eye it was so refreshing to read something this honest and true.

[June Freifelder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memoirs often feel hard to write reviews for. I don’t know if this was quite five stars in terms of writing, but I definitely felt invested from start to finish and enjoyed reading a chef’s journey. Excited to get back in the memoir game this fall!

[J T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn’t really know of Corbin and expected this to be one of those traditional cook books. I was completely wrong. What a story.

[Claudia Majetich · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book that clearly shows that folks at the lowest end of the social/economic ladder need not just "grit" but also caring, committed people who are willing to extend a helping hand frequently, and over a period of time.

This book vividly describes the vibrant culture that existed in Watts when Corbin was growing up, and existed separately from mainstream enterprises. Corbin tells how he succeeded in the drug culture by innovative "business" practices, and his personal leadership qualities. He is whip-smart, and able to move through many different situations--his neighborhood, prison, and later on, fancy restaurants.

At the end of the book, he recounts spending time with guys from the "old neighborhood", and how comfortable he felt there.

There is an assumption in the United States that a person can transition from their (less desirable) working-class birth culture to the (obviously more desirable) of middle- and upper-class white America. What is frequently unacknowledged is the cost of this path in terms of personal comfort because it requires the abandonment of the values and points of view of working class people.

[Randal White · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting. I really could not put the book down. I found it to be like watching a movie's car chase, waiting for the inevitable crash to end it all.
The author; raised in Watts, a gang member, a drug dealer and abuser, a convict; has so many strikes against him that he really has no way of succeeding.
Yet, somehow, he does. He discovers something inside himself to keep going, despite his own self sabotaging behavior. Thanks to some lucky breaks, some good mentors, and a great deal of luck, he finds himself part owner of a very successful restaurant.
I found the author to be, at times, incredibly unlikable. Yet part of me kept reading, hoping to see if he would see the light and come out a success.
Even at the end of the book, despite all his success, I still find myself wondering if he is going to eventually crash the car.

[Katie McMurran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much from this book - a lot about the housing and economic discrimination that has existed/exists in LA, about gang and prison life, and how hard it can be to break out of those systems, about the artistry of cooking, and mostly (the relatable part for me) about how you have to come to terms with your past. And I hope to one day try the fried chicken at Alta - it sounds amazing!

[Vaibhavi]

Been on a memoir kick lately and this is GREAT! Keith Corbin does a fantastic job of making me understand a life that I have no way to relate to - the experience of an African American man living in 1980s California.

I like when a book challenges my own preconceived notions, which this one did. Before starting the book, I had this narrow view that getting out of jail would immediately lead to a “better life”—that he’d just step out of jail, showcase all of his cooking skills he learnt in jail, and find success immediately in one straight line. Corbin shatters all these assumptions right off the bat. He makes it clear that escaping the system doesn’t guarantee a happy ending. There’s a lot more nuance, and that personal growth is a continuous process rather than a destination. A constant push-and-pull between what you want and the limitations placed by your environment, and we see the author balance this struggle in real time both before and after jail.

Corbin also does a masterful job of immersing you in his world, telling a compelling story while also embedding the intricate details of his lived experiences. The code of conduct, the subtle language and signals (for example, sports paraphernalia can signal allegiance to different groups), and the descriptions - it all feels authentic, which makes for a great memoir.

One of the strongest themes that resonated with me is the sense of community. He relies on his community and actively works on behalf of it. Even in the face of infighting in the community, there’s this obvious understanding that much of the conflict is a direct result of a cruel system designed to keep them down. He doesn’t shy away from showing just how deeply the Black community is mistreated in America and this makes his story all the more compelling and inspirational but not in a generic "motivational poster" kind of way but just more real.

[Shoshanah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t often write my reviews, especially lately, but occasionally I’ll read a book and think, I need to share this one! That doesn’t always then happen, but today it is!

I was so impressed with Keith Corbin’s California Soul. It’s his memoir of growing up in Watts, spending a decade in prison, having a drug addiction, and his path to becoming a chef and co-owner of a restaurant.

Corbin is only a few years older than I and also grew up in Southern California. He grew up in South Central L.A., but also spent a lot of time in Long Beach, where I grew up. Yet, our lives and upbringings were so different. Sure, I occasionally remember hearing stories, they was a boy in my drama class freshmen year who died from gang related violence, but it wasn’t directly related to me.

I found the stories fascinating and so appreciated Corbin sharing these details of his life growing up as a Black male. It’s hard to even articulate my feelings here, because I don’t think I’ll do it correctly, but it definitely made an impact.

On a different note, I loved all the foodie bits. So many meals and dishes sounded so delicious and creative. I’d love to try some of his food someday.

This was such a hidden find, that again I’m so appreciative to have discovered. I learned a lot and I’m glad to have the opportunity to read it.

5/5

Thanks to the publisher for providing this book to me through a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Alicia Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5.

California Soul is a memoir written by chef Keith Corbin who had previously been incarcerated after growing up in Watts amidst crime, drugs, and gangs. HIs cooking skills start with cooking crack which then evolved to serving as a cook in the prison kitchen to becoming manager at LocoL-- a restaurant/initiative started by Daniel Patterson to provide affordable and nutritious foods in food deserts across the country. This introduction set Corbin on a path to winding road to chefdom, through overcoming a cocaine addiction and a complicated history/tie to Watts.

I found the first half of the book very compelling and Corbin an eloquent writer in conveying the emotional chaos that was his childhood and early adulthood. The second half of the book seemed less cohesive and that may very well due to it being an ongoing story.

Corbin describes his story as not a "success story" because the story doesn't end once the protagonist "makes it out", without describing the tumult of fitting in and resisting the temptation to return. But in him writing this story, I feel like he still is creating that same storyline which seemed a little hypocritical to me. It was only because he is in relatively stable place that he is able to tell the story, as much as he is still struggling in present day.

[Thomas Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chef Keith Corbin tells his story growing up as he says literally in the Drug game in the area of Watts. He was taught early on that family is family and he did have some stability form his granny the kind of Grandma you know who feeds the whole neighborhood. If you are not from the area of Watts or Compton, he gives a detailed description of the area and the projects and how in the projects it was its own thriving underground business like a strip mall. After relative got tired of him asking for money showed him how to earn his own money and this led him into what have to do to make money when you have limited opportunities. The author pulls no punches of his descriptions of dealing, being in a gang and being in prison where he may have ended up gaining some of his cooking chops. This is a good redemption story as well as a good story of Chef giving back to his communities. It was definitely a quick read.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keith Corbin tells his story his way, and it's quite literally unputdownable. This is the story of one man's life growing up South Los Angeles, a part of town many people think they know all about from music and film but truly don't understand. It's also the story of how one man found his calling as a chef. No holds barred, Keith tells it like it is. Unflinchingly honest about himself, his community and the impact of systemic discrimination, he describes step by step how his life on the streets led to his life in the kitchen. Having eaten several times in his restaurant Alta Adams, I am happy to say that his food is just as good as it sounds in the book. And having worked in the L.A. Projects, I can say it's just as he describes. This is one of the most honest autobiographies I've ever read but even more: it's an honest story of the real Los Angeles. California Soul should be mandatory reading for anyone studying sociology, social work, or criminal justice. Highly recommended.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hustle. That's what Keith Corbin's life is about. Starting in Watts as a young teen, he was hustling to make money and what better, easier way than to run/sell drugs and eventually cook them. He wanted to make the best and he did. He made a name for himself, always pushing to do better. But life on the mean streets takes a toll. Friends and family were taken from him by violence. Being sent to prison for a robbery didn't change anything for him because we all know prison life is not conducive to creating better behavior.

This book is about making a lot of bad choices. Over and over again. And yet with time and his love of cooking and love of family things begin to right themselves for him. The hustle didn't stop, it just grew wings and flew to a better life.

P.S. Keith, please keep your homie friends out of my city of Des Moines. Thank you. (Unless you're delivering soul food).

[Susie Dumond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Acclaimed chef Keith Corbin’s first experience with cooking was as a teenager cooking crack in 1980s Los Angeles. Later, in a high security prison, he began experimenting with the meager commissary options to make impressive creations. In this memoir, Corbin shares how his difficult past led to his success as visionary California soul food chef, and how the “gangbanger redemption story” fails to encompass the truth of his journey.

Corbin's story is full of danger, loss, bold moves, and delicious flavors. Corbin and his co-author Kevin Alexander tell this brave, true story with an authentic voice and a lots of nuance, refusing to reduce Corbin to his worst mistakes or his biggest successes. California Soul paints a picture of a flawed man who wants to do better for his community and himself. It's eye-opening, inspiring, and impossible to forget.

[Sienna Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book from Goodreads giveaways. It took me forever to read because I've been so busy. I feel like I could have gotten more from it if my reading wasn't as sporadic. That said I kept wanting to come back to it. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. Growing up there were always the Bloods and Crypts rumors. It's nice to hear reality, even when it's not all pretty. What a great rise above your difficulties story. I'd like to meet Keith and visit his restaurant. I'd like to shake his hand or even hug him and tell him job well done! I know the difficulties of addiction and cocaine is one of the hardest to kick. I can realate to creativity in the kitchen even more. Im no chef, but thats my style. I'd like to see a sequel.

[Angel DM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Attractive read for a boy from South Central.

I grew up in the area that Keith describes in his book. My main homie lives on 103rd street and I used to go to the gym at the Freedom Plaza in Watts. That is all to say that this book is very personal to me. California Soul reads like a man at church talking to me about his life.
It is a blessing.

It’s not a perfect book. Yet those imperfections make it human. Kevin Alexander has really helped to capture Keith’s soul and speaking patterns.

Highly recommend. Plenty of research was done to make sure context for the community of Watts is given. I also appreciate that Keith is vulnerable with his regrets. In that way, Keith is a more reliable narrator than most authors.

[Ann Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like watching prison stories online (e.g. Jessica Kent, Christina Randall and the like), you will enjoy this book on many levels. The recipes they created in prison have been legendary, but it's the thought process behind the creativity that really sticks with you. Like these former prisoners, Corbin rose above his violent past to show his art in the kitchen. He fought for his life and ultimately developed his version of “California Soul Food”, a healthier, soul food using local California produce and West African recipes. What an eye-opening journey for Corbin. I always admire his tenacity and courage! Thanks for the win, Goodreads!

[Diana Bianchini · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir was riveting!! I am floored and inspired by the massive act in vulnerability of Chef Corbin - sharing many real tragic and traumatic details, his feelings, his wrongs and his rights. Wow.
I also see this as a love story...love of himself, his family, his community, Los Angeles, and his cooking.

Highly recommend reading this memoir. I have never read an autobiography like this in my life. I came away so inspired and with a greater understanding of so much.

[CaraDico · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Thank you to Random House, Keith Corbin, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

This book was fabulous! I enjoyed reading about a side of life that I have never experienced or knew about. It is partly sad and terrifying and very uplifting to know there are men and women that can move past their childhood and upbringing to make something of themselves. The best part of the book is how Keith "Fresh" learns to cook and identify with food. I will recommend this everywhere.

[Amee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why I gave this 5 stars:
- It was eye-opening learning more about gang culture and prison culture. It made me think back to my students at Carol City and what they may have been going through.
- The storytelling was extremely captivating - every day I looked forward to reading more (though at one point it did become hard to read and I had to take a break).
- It invigorated my desire to cook and learn to become a better cook.
- It was encouraging to learn about initiatives like LocoL.

[Bryce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting memoir about a wide-ranging life. I can't quite put my finger on what is missing that keeps it from being exceptional. Usually I think memoirs written earlier in life suffer from a lack of perspective, but in many ways Corbin seems to have more perspective on the later parts of his life than the earlier ones so it's a little puzzling to me. But it's an easy read and an interesting window into the worlds of Watts, prison, and fine dining.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m torn because this book does an excellent job illustrating the myriad ways our system keeps people down, but I found the writing frustratingly rambly a lot of times. Keith Corbin’s commitment to doing better and his honesty in telling his story is inspiring!!! I hate giving anything less than a 5 star rating because I want nothing but good things to come his way! This book has a lot of gems, and I would recommend it, but I just didn’t particularly enjoy it.

[Clara Caspard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feels like a good transition from Spook. Such a good story I was eating every page down. He’s such an introspective guy and also this was a really good window into a part of LA I have little understanding of or connection to. Also candid and takes a stab at the liberal racially just bullshit a lot of white ppl tout. I need to check out Alta Adam’s after this one. Also went to Adam’s Wine Shop last year without realizing the history behind it!!