New York City's kitchens are often overlooked as places of quiet labor and resilience, but behind every delicious meal lies a story of struggle, survival, and transformation. In his new book "Voices from the Kitchen," chef and co-owner Marc Meyer shines a light on the lives of 27 immigrant restaurant workers who toil behind the scenes to bring us our favorite dishes.
These workers come from diverse backgrounds, including Ecuador, Colombia, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Bangladesh, and Ireland. Their journeys are marked by harrowing challenges that test their resolve and force them to confront the darkest moments of their past. Jakeline, a former nun from Lima, Peru, recounts being robbed at gunpoint while working for a black-market currency exchange, while Rosie from El Salvador shares her terrifying experience traveling inside a tanker truck with only a narrow opening to breathe.
Angel from Caracas, Venezuela, describes being kidnapped twice for his activism as a student leader. These stories of survival and resilience are interspersed with tales of hope and transformation, as these workers find new purpose in the kitchen and forge connections with their colleagues that become lifelines in an unfamiliar land.
Meyer's book is more than just a collection of stories; it's a testament to the power of human connection and the importance of understanding our shared history. "We wouldn't have produce from the fields, we wouldn't have staff to run our restaurants, or people who can put up drywall and do plumbing," he explains. "And everything that is done that we have that is produced is by the hands of people who've come from other parts of the world."
New York City's restaurant scene is a microcosm of the country's melting pot culture, where workers from diverse backgrounds come together to create something new and vibrant. Meyer notes that this dynamic is replicated in restaurants across the United States, from San Francisco to Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and beyond.
The common thread among these stories is not just their shared struggles but also their resilience and determination. These workers face incredible hardships, from poverty and violence to emotional trauma and loss, yet they persevere and thrive in the kitchen. As Meyer puts it, "Restaurants are one of those places where if you can work, if you can follow instructions, if you can learn through observation, if you can be a compatriot, if you can show comradery, you can thrive."
Meyer's book is a testament to the power of human connection and understanding. By sharing the stories of these immigrant workers, we are reminded that everyone has a story worth telling, and that even in the darkest moments, there is always hope for transformation and redemption.
These workers come from diverse backgrounds, including Ecuador, Colombia, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Bangladesh, and Ireland. Their journeys are marked by harrowing challenges that test their resolve and force them to confront the darkest moments of their past. Jakeline, a former nun from Lima, Peru, recounts being robbed at gunpoint while working for a black-market currency exchange, while Rosie from El Salvador shares her terrifying experience traveling inside a tanker truck with only a narrow opening to breathe.
Angel from Caracas, Venezuela, describes being kidnapped twice for his activism as a student leader. These stories of survival and resilience are interspersed with tales of hope and transformation, as these workers find new purpose in the kitchen and forge connections with their colleagues that become lifelines in an unfamiliar land.
Meyer's book is more than just a collection of stories; it's a testament to the power of human connection and the importance of understanding our shared history. "We wouldn't have produce from the fields, we wouldn't have staff to run our restaurants, or people who can put up drywall and do plumbing," he explains. "And everything that is done that we have that is produced is by the hands of people who've come from other parts of the world."
New York City's restaurant scene is a microcosm of the country's melting pot culture, where workers from diverse backgrounds come together to create something new and vibrant. Meyer notes that this dynamic is replicated in restaurants across the United States, from San Francisco to Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and beyond.
The common thread among these stories is not just their shared struggles but also their resilience and determination. These workers face incredible hardships, from poverty and violence to emotional trauma and loss, yet they persevere and thrive in the kitchen. As Meyer puts it, "Restaurants are one of those places where if you can work, if you can follow instructions, if you can learn through observation, if you can be a compatriot, if you can show comradery, you can thrive."
Meyer's book is a testament to the power of human connection and understanding. By sharing the stories of these immigrant workers, we are reminded that everyone has a story worth telling, and that even in the darkest moments, there is always hope for transformation and redemption.
This whole restaurant scene thing in NYC is just a facade, you know? Like, people think it's all about good food and happy vibes, but really it's about exploitation and control. I mean, think about it, these workers are toiling away in the kitchens, often for minimal pay and no benefits, while their bosses reap all the profits. It's like they're being kept in a cage, working just enough to keep them alive, but not enough to make them truly free.
. Yeah right, that's just what they want you to think. It's all about maintaining the status quo and keeping the power in the hands of the elite. These workers are being used as a tool for social control, keeping them occupied while the real issues get ignored.
. Maybe there's a way to break free from this system, to create something new and better. The fact that these workers were able to find purpose and connection in the kitchen is inspiring, even if it's just a small spark of resistance.
I just found out about this new book "Voices from the Kitchen" by Marc Meyer and it sounds so eye opening! I mean, I've walked into restaurants and thought nothing of the people working behind the scenes, but now I'm like, wow, they're human beings with stories and struggles too. It's amazing how these workers have found a sense of purpose in the kitchen and are able to form connections with their colleagues. 
It makes me think about all the food I take for granted and the people who make it possible. 
it's like, we're all connected, right? And Marc Meyer's book is more than just a collection of stories - it's a reminder that everyone has a story worth telling, no matter what they've been through 
The numbers are insane - like 1 in 4 chefs work more than 60 hours a week & 70% of cooks have at least one year of education beyond high school! 
Their stories though, man... it's heartbreaking. Did you know that the median age for immigrant restaurant workers is 30? 
They're not just cooks, they're entrepreneurs, survivors, and storytellers. The book "Voices from the Kitchen" has got me hyped - it's all about human connection & understanding our shared history 
I'm also obsessed with these stats: in 2020 alone, NYC restaurant workers made $11 billion 
Meanwhile, in LA, immigrants earn just 45% of what native-born Americans make 
This book is a must-read for anyone who cares about the food industry, social justice, or just human stories 
he's highlighting the lives of 27 immigrant restaurant workers who toil behind the scenes & it's wild how they've overcome so much to thrive in the kitchen, like Jakeline's story about being robbed at gunpoint 
and Meyer's saying that if you can work hard, learn quickly, & show some kindness towards others, you can make it in the kitchen 
its so cool tho that marc meyer wrote this book "voices from the kitchen" & shared these ppl's stories 
esp i love how he says restaurants r places where u can thrive if ur willing 2 learn & work w/ others