27 personal histories of immigrant restaurant workers in New York City whose stories of persistence, hope, and endurance show how vital they are to our country
Compiled by a longtime chef who knows how indispensable—and fascinating—they are
Immigrants play an essential role in the growth, resiliency, and overall success of the food industry. In an age of rising anti-immigrant rhetoric, their voices must be heard.
“Restaurants as we know them in the US would not exist without immigrant labor,” begins Marc Meyer’s preface to this unique collection. With these words, Meyer makes clear his commitment to centering the voices of the staff members who make his restaurants possible.
All of the contributors came to New York from another part of the world—Mexico, Bangladesh, Ivory Coast, and beyond—and all found their foothold in the restaurant industry. Among them are:
- Angel V., an openly gay dissident lawyer from Venezuela who survived two kidnappings before coming to the US
- Islam, from Bangladesh, who worked as a runner and expeditor and is now building his own mosque in Jamaica, Queens
- Carlha, a Dominican sous-chef at Shuka who still makes rice the way her father taught her when she was a child
Their stories are a window into the staggering range of life experiences that immigrant workers carry with them. They are by turns funny, dark, poignant, surprising, and relatable. Most of all, they deserve our respect and our solidarity.
All author proceeds from the book will be distributed evenly among the contributors.
“The next time you’re enjoying a meal in your favorite restaurant, take a look around at the people making it happen: the kitchen crew, the bus people, the servers. Then remember that none of this would be possible without them. Voices from the Kitchen is a look into the lives of the people who give everything with great dignity. Now more than ever, it’s essential to recognize what they sacrifice to get a better life. This is a deeply moving collection of their stories.”
—Sandra Bernhard, American actress, singer, and comedian
“My dear friend, colleague, and master chef Marc Meyer has amassed an extremely diverse group of his employees to hear their stories. These brief but very poignant histories are told in the context of their involvement with Marc’s rich restaurant world. Marc has a deft and delicate ear, and he has curated some truly extraordinary narratives from who would seem to be, on the surface, quiet, hardworking individuals. We are drawn into their worlds, where nothing is taken for granted. These folks have had to employ all of their acumen simply to survive. And not just about survival, these stories will make anyone a believer in the human spirit and that the history of immigration is truly our nation’s lifeblood.”
—Jonathan Waxman, American chef and author of The Barbuto Cookbook: California-Italian Cooking from the Beloved West Village Restaurant