In Buddha's Kitchen: Cooking, Being Cooked, and Other Adventures in a Meditation Center

by Kimberley Snow

Kimberley Snow offers an outrageously funny and honest account of her adventures as head cook at a Tibetan Buddhist retreat center. With her earthy sensibility and sharp sense of humor, the author shows this world in a light devoid of preciousness—while expressing with heart the integrity of the spiritual work being undertaken. We come away from our visit to this exotic realm having found it both extraordinary and surprisingly familiar. The neuroses, obsessions, and petty concerns exposed by Snow—both in herself and her fellow staff members—prove to be grist for the mill for discovering the grace inherent in life just as it is.

Genres: Buddhism, Memoir, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Food, Cooking, Religion

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 13, 2003

Reviews

[Bookworm · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did we read the same book? I am thoroughly puzzled by the positive reviews this book has on Goodreads and Amazon.com. I thought it was going to be a book about a woman cooking at a Buddhist retreat: basically a food/cooking memoir set at a place where you might least expect.
 
Instead, the reader is treated to a mishmash of essays on various topics, but very little about the actual cooking and/or the the staff or the people who come to the meditation center/retreat/etc. This was thoroughly disappointing. Snow has a good voice: there were some intriguing bits (for example, there's a too brief part where she is talking to someone about why attendees decide to come to a retreat/center/etc.). But this rather short book was was too self-centered and too uninteresting for my liking.
 
I wasn't expecting deep insights or a combination of Buddhism with foodie culture or anything like that. But the book is unfortunately not serviced well as being a series of essays (rather than a larger narrative). There's an extremely bizarre chapter dedicated to a play of a chef talking to a dragon while cooking. As reviewed by other people, the play is stereotypical and yes, racist with language, appearance, what appears to be some sort of voodoo magic, etc. No thank you.
 
I've had this book on my "to read" list for quite awhile, and I'm REALLY glad I chose to borrow it from the library. This was a waste of time and I don't recommend it.

[Patti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Often when I read auto biographies, I wish the author would have taken a few more years and a little more time in writing their story. Instead of compiling disjointed essays to fill pages, Snow could have written a semi-fictional account of her life that would have read as a modern Siddhartha tale of finding her way. This book repeats thoughts and introduces events that had already been introduced.

There were a couple of really good essays in this book that kept me interested and reading. Snow makes some unusual choices in her life, going from academics to being to a chef, to immersing herself in Buddhism. Her realization that her Eastern thought no longer made her welcome in the world of Feminist Academia was a great moment. I wish she would have concentrated on that story more than the chef story.

[Gemma · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall, this is an enjoyable book. I was attracted to the idea of reading a Westerner's view of a Tibetan Buddhist centre from the point of view of someone other than a newly ordained monk/nun, or a simple visitor.

Although I think the author has a good voice, I find myself holding back on rating this book highly due to a few issues that I find it hard to overlook. Namely, I thought her 'play', which makes up one chapter, was disappointingly racist; playing on the stereotype of the fat, black, voodoo practicing female chef, complete with broken English and stereotypical, racist 'black speech' (dis, dat, dem dere, etc).

I was also disappointed at her assumption that feminism had changed fundamentally for the worse, based on her being interviewed by three women who run the Women Studies course at a single university. Snow discusses her disappoint at how 'cold and bitter' feminism has become since her departure from her teaching days. Deciding to judge an entire movement based on one experience is irrational, not to mention disappointing considering that Snow clearly identifies as a feminist herself. It smacked a little too much of 'good feminist, bad feminist', where Snow's version of feminism is clearly the better, and the 'new' feminism is clearly the worse.

These issues aside, it's a relatively good read. I did feel I learned more about the Tibetan Centre from Snow's viewpoint, and it is an interesting one considering how many books such as this are written by newly ordained Western monks/nuns. I didn't learn anything new about Buddhism in the sense of bare bone facts, but it did provide a number of insights, and really reawakened my interest in Tibetan Buddhism.

I've been toying with the idea of going on retreat for a while, and this book has made me seriously look into it.

[Maggie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book quite frustrating. At times I was on the verge of abandoning it altogether only to discover the next paragraph or two to be of some interest. Wish she'd spoken more about some things and way less about others. Also agree with others re the play - leave it out.

[Roxenne Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Refreshing, honest, funny, delightful AND with a message to boot. I loved it.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a genuinely kind hearted and humorous look by the author at her own foibles and those of others while working in a retreat kitchen. Really refreshing.

[Jane Manns · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book at a book fair in Texas with my family. I LOVE food and have lots of interest in Buddhist thought so, I was like sign me up! If u have ever seen the movie Burnt the main character in that movie needed this book! The Author goes to a retreat and when the cooks back goes out she volunteered to head the kitchen since she once ran a very high end restaurant. She talks about how back in the Chef days the staff called her god out of fear and respect but mostly fear. Her anger and perfection drove the kitchen. At the retreat center she has to learn to run the kitchen as a Buddha, which takes much more patience. What I liked most about this book is it made the concepts and ideas easy to grasp, unlike some other books on Buddhist thought. The only other Buddhist author who I have enjoyed and found easy to understand was Thich Nhat Hanh.

[Coralee Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

in the Zen tradition, transformation can happen through mindful work, as well as the more well known sitting in contemplation. Snow, a former chef took on the responsibility of cook at a Zen Retreat Center located in the Pacific Northwest. The Center focuses on the less well known Vajrayana tradition. Snow brings her authentic self to her memoir, neither focusing solely on the negative or emphasizing blissful intuitive moment, she relates her day to day growth from a unhappy in control chef to a person who is aligned with seeing things as they are.

Always interesting, sometimes gossipy the book is a quick read revealing a snapshot view of one person's experience with the meditative life.

Recommended for those interested in other schools of Buddhist meditation

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book for a variety of reasons: a behind-the-scenes look at a Buddhist retreat center, the exploration of how to live the principles we are taught, and the twists and turns of the author’s spiritual journey. And chapter 11 on the Jizo ceremony for unborn children was profoundly moving. Sometimes the narrative felt a little disjointed, but not enough to interfere with my soaking up the words like a thirsty sponge.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved this book. i could identify with so much of it. her storytelling at times made me feel she had peaked into my life. the bits about the family (i think her mother and my mother are twins or one in the same. lol). the illustrations of teachings using her own humble experiences working in the kitchen at the meditation center and the others were so spot on. each story was a wonderful experience. i loved this book so much, i read it in its entirety in one sitting.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. I am currently studying Buddhism, Mindfulness and practice meditation. This spoke to me because it compared real world situations and scenarios with the Buddhist teachings. It gave me another perspective.

[Deb Korch · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely walk with the author as she delves into her Buddhist practice through culinary experiences.

[Funda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent... One of the best memoirs, if not the best, on the spiritual journey. Insightful, wise, compassionate and honest. Thanks to her wisdom, I had many realizations. Many blessings 💞

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were some profoundly good moments and ideas nestled in there. However, a majority of the book was just okay and I was distracted by the lack of coherent flow.

[Mckinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it.

[Kim Rozwadowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming story of self discovery told with a wry truthfulness. An easy read that doesn’t focus on teaching but more on what the author discovered as she progressed in Buddha’s teachings.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kimberley Snow describes her time working in a kitchen at a Buddhist retreat with spiritual prose and vivid descriptions. Unfortunately, her stories of time spent in an upscale restaurant, which are more comical, are minimal. I did appreciate her descriptions of the Buddhist belief that there are three root things that poison the mind, including attachment, aversion, and ignorance, which affect relationships because we see the other as the object of our affections, rather than a subject or being. And as objects, we don't allow the change that is inevitable each day. Finally, if you change the way you think about the other person, there is a chance to give, and receive, happiness. Mind changes, everything changes, as she explains.

[Cass Mabbott · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was, overall, a very good book. She talks about being a very high-powered chef with an anger problem: read very very scary woman. She learns how to be aware of her anger and deal with it through Buddhism. BUT don't think it's all preachy because it is not. It's very funny and irreverent. The only thing I did not like was that it didn't seem like she aimed to write a book, it's more "musings" or random chapters at times. Overall, though those chapters, random or not, brought a coherent message of finding peace.

[Heather Herron · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel that this work was honest and a great tool to provide to individuals who are fresh to Buddhism. The book shows that frustration is okay and perfection is not something to expect from yourself. I enjoyed Snow's outlook on many different topics. While the play was not necessarily my favorite aspect of the book I think it gave good insight to Snow as a person and a good look at the atmosphere of the time in which the play had been written. The chapter regarding aborted and miscarried children and the ritual was incredibly touching.

[Marietta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had forgotten about this book, and just recently stumbled upon a description in the shambhala publication magazine. This book reminded me of how everyday activities such as working in a kitchen, can be treated as a meditation; that the whole process of preparing a meal and serving it can be such a gift. Snow's sense of humor and honesty about the perils of the spiritual path are a great reminder not to take any of it too seriously.

[Katerina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great insight into live in a Buddhist Centre, at some point made me feeling nostalgic about the time I've spent in a Buddhist retreat. Although a great read, to me it seemed more like an autobiography, some parts I have even skipped (the play). Perhaps that's just me looking for some reminders of my time in the Retreat,but that's what I wanted to read about in this book, not about previous worldly experience as a chef in a restaurant ( more than a half of the book is dedicated to that).

[Cindywho · Rating 2 out of 5]

Snow wrote a pile of essays about her experience in kitchens at a Tibetan Buddhist retreat center and at other times in her life and published them as a book. Some are better than others (I could've done without the dinner theater piece) some sad, some insightful - if you are interested in other peoples insights into themselves (which, sometimes, I am).

[H.A. Fowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read many books on theory about Buddhism, but I swear I learned more about walking the walk, Living the Path, from this book than anything I've read so far. The stories are touching, funny, and give real insight into what the sometimes abstract teachings of Buddha really mean in a modern world. Highly recommended for any student of the Way.

[Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the ARC. I don't know about the final version, but I thought it was weird that a book about a volunteer cook in a Buddhist retreat center didn't have a single recipe in it. Otherwise it was awesome. I especially was moved by the chapter on the memorial services for miscarriages or abortions.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is kind of in the same vein as The Barn at the End of the World, which is one of my favorite books. One woman's personal experience of Tibetan Buddhism, her own struggles, how it fits in her own life, with little bits of the Lamas' teachings.

[Bonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply one of the very best books written! Kimberly Snow has a nack for self-exploration with out rampnant ego dancing! If you've ever practiced meditation, or cooked...this one's for you!
I actually completed this book a few years ago...but it's still one that I reach for when I have "nothing to read"!

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Snow has a wandering spirit. Somehow it leads her from work as a professor in a university to a cook in a kitchen to a chef in a monastery. The time she spent in the monastery seemed to help her and, in the end, she seemed a stronger person.

[Christopher Harrod · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like it was an interesting, well written book. There were a few chapters that I felt could have been left out. These chapters didn't seem irrelevant but did stray from where the book was headed. Maybe, it's her style of writing which contains many essays instead of long chapters.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful memoir of her years as a chef at a northern California Buddhist retreat center. She talks of lessons learned in the kitchen but also from the monks, students and teachers who passed through. Very engaging!

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me want to push myself to be more introspective and to practice listening. For people who are interested in Buddhism in the US and kitchens, this is a short, thoughtful read.