Booklist reviews the book in its September 1st issue:
In an era of steadily increasing governmental hostility to immigrants and immigration, Voices from the Kitchen encourages readers to celebrate the resilience and diversity of the people who come to America from other countries. Chef Marc Meyer brings together a collection of immigrant narratives from workers in the New York restaurant scene. The 27 people who share their stories in this volume came to the U.S. from all over the world, driven by a determination to build a good life for themselves and their families. Some fled interpersonal abuse, gang violence, or political repression in their home countries, while others simply sought better economic prospects. All of their stories speak eloquently of the hope for a better future and a willingness to work hard to build that future. Amidst a torrent of rhetoric about who immigrants are and how their presence might shape America for better or worse, it can be easy to lose sight of our basic shared humanity. This frank, moving collection of oral histories brings that humanity back into sharp and undeniable focus.
Voices from the Kitchen: Personal Narratives from New York’s Restaurant Kitchens will be published in the English language by Beacon Press in North America in November 2025.
Marc Meyer is a longtime New York City chef, specializing in Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and known for his commitment to sourcing locally, seasonally, and sustainably. He and his partners at the Bowery Group operate 5 restaurants in New York City: Cookshop, Vic’s, Rosie’s, Shuka, and Shukette. When not in the kitchen, Meyer donates his time to an Indigenous community center in Mexico.