"Food was Kwame Onwuachi's first great love. He connected to cooking via his mother, in the family's modest Bronx apartment. From that spark, he launched his own catering company with twenty thousand dollars he made selling candy on the subway and trained in the kitchens of some of the most acclaimed restaurants in the country. He faced many challenges on the road to success, including breaking free of a dangerous downward spiral due to temptation and easy money, and grappling with just how unwelcoming the world of fine dining can be for people of color. Born on Long Island and raised in New York City, Nigeria, and Louisiana, Kwame Onwuachi's story is one of survival and ingenuity in the face of adversity"--Provided by the publisher.

"Adapted for young adults." "This work is based on Notes from a Young Black Chef: A Memoir, copyright Ã2019 by Kwame Onwuachi."

Standing on stories -- Egusi stew -- Dominoes -- Ancestors -- The block -- Moneymaking -- Gulf state -- Finding my craft -- CIA man -- Ignited -- Breakdowns and breakthroughs -- From old guard to start-up -- Welcome to reality -- The jewel -- Unraveling -- The lesson.