OVERVIEW
This was a beautiful memoir filled with so much good life advice. It may be my new gift for college graduates, as this was the book I needed when I started adulting!
However, I would have enjoyed it more as a physical or digital book instead of listening to it as an audiobook. There was just so much material that I would have absorbed it all better visually rather than verbally.
Full disclosure: The charity, World Central Kitchen (WCK), that José co-founded, is one of two charities our family regularly supports. WCK was in Southern California almost immediately after the January 2025 fires and fed many people I know in Altadena and Pasadena.
OVERALL REVIEW: 4.5 stars.
Writing: 5.0 stars
The writing was passionate, powerful, and real. It was completely from José's heart. There was a ghostwriter, but it didn't affect Jose's message.
Narration: 5.0 stars
José is not a professional actor or speaker, but he read this audiobook with so much emotion.
Of course, I am sure some people will complain that José has a Spanish accent on the audiobook, making it difficult to understand. I call bullshit! I have a Southern California accent - we all have accents!
The best thing to do is to read or listen to this book. It is an important book!
Character development: 5.0 stars
There were no main characters per se. It is all about José, cooking, and WCK. José believes in good food, food that tells a story, and food for all. All three are beautifully interwoven throughout the book.
José's family of origin, his own family, WCK family, and extended chef networks play prominent roles throughout the book. Additionally, the customers who pay in his restaurants or folks helped by WCK are treated with grace, care, and hospitality.
Memorable/Informative: 5.0 stars
For me, José takes way too much heat for feeding both sides of the Israeli/Palestinian war. Both sides are hungry and thirsty.
His altruistic work of feeding the hungry is what José is passionate about. He has tried to stay out of the political drama, but it keeps rearing its ugly head. José's focus is getting food and water where it is needed quickly and efficiently while cutting through the idiotic red tape.
Entertaining/Educational: 5.0 stars
José hits the mark when he talks about endless wasteful meetings, while agencies wait instead of reacting to help after disasters. This is the same issue in the U.S. with our businesses and government - we talk too much about doing without doing anything at all.
José and WCK get it done because they are creative, forward-thinking, and on the ground quickly. They assess the needs, speak to the helpers already there, and use the available resources at the disaster site. This is much better than waiting for supplies to arrive!
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Appropriate!
Book title: 5.0 stars
Perfect, especially with the subtitle.
HIGHLY recommend
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: audiobook
Change the Recipe by José Andrés
4 hours, 36 minutes
Harper Audio
Release date: 4/22/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)
TRIGGER WARNING: Mild cursing, classism, colonialism, war, violence, lack of food and water, xenophobia
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
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