A Chef Is Born

"I love this book! Otto's recipe for life is as warm and nutritious as his recipes for food! He delights us with musical pairings, hilarious anecdotes, poems, proverbs, even a White House recipe. Delicious!" Marcia Gay Harden, Academy Award-Winning Actress

"Hail to the Chef! Chef Otto Borsich serves up an inspiring, delicious, and nourishing feast in his book, A Chef is Born. You will ask for seconds." Dr. Connie Mariano, White House Physician, Rear Admiral, USN (Retired). Author of The White House Doctor: My Patients Were Presidents

Before Otto Borsich competed on Top Chef, before he taught at the Culinary Institute of America, before he ran the kitchens of 4- and 5-star restaurants, he first had to be born. In his no-knives-barred approach to life and cooking, Borsich carves out his own Otto-biography. Told in his inimitable style, A Chef Is Born details Otto's life story. A small-town boy from the Midwest with a knack for mischief, he overcomes phenomenal obstacles and learns life's lessons the hard way. While his buddies dream of being ballplayers, firefighters, or cops, Otto clings to his own vision: he's going to be a chef. Today, heeding God's call, Otto travels the globe to serve and love people in need, no matter where that takes him, sometimes ministering through food, sometimes by listening, sometimes lifting spirits with infectious humor, warmth, and anecdotes. Candid, witty, and sometimes cutting, Otto has much to say.

I love this book! Otto’s recipe for life is as warm and nutritious as his recipes for food! He delights us with musical pairings, hilarious anecdotes, poems, proverbs, even a White House recipe. Delicious! MARCIA GAY HARDEN ACADEMY AWARD WINNING ACTRESS

A fun read about becoming a chef, an instructor, and believer. Motivated by others on his journey including old school restauranteurs and the swagger and bravado of Bruce Springsteen. The interwoven personal recipes are a nice touch.  DAVID BURKE, JAMES BEARD AWARD WINNER,  RESTAURATEUR, PATENT HOLDER, AND CULINARY PRANKSTER 

A fascinating heartfelt story. Individual, yet universal in its expression. Otto’s love of food combined with his passion for cooking as an offering to others gives new meaning to Brillat-Saverin’s, the famous eighteenth-century gastronome’s statement, “There is no place like the table to reconcile mind and body to a life that is necessarily too short and too indifferent.” This book is an inspiration for all. BARRY WINE CHEF, FORMER OWNER OF THE QUILTED GIRAFFE

Hail to the Chef! Otto Borsich serves up an inspiring, delicious, and nourishing feast in A Chef is Born. You will ask for seconds. DR. CONNIE MARIANO WHITE HOUSE PHYSICIAN, REAR ADMIRAL, USN (RETIRED)  AUTHOR OF THE WHITE HOUSE DOCTOR: MY PATIENTS WERE PRESIDENTS

Otto is a master wordsmith who keeps the reader enthralled through each phase of his food journey. Then he cleverly ends each chapter with recipes that fit into the storyline. The only problem I have with the book is when I’m reading at night in bed. I want to go into the kitchen and start making the recipes! DEAN FEARING CHEF-OWNER, FEARING’S RESTAURANT, AND JAMES BEARD AWARD WINNER

Otto is an eccentric soul, a great storyteller combining history, music, recipes, and scripture. This is a superlative memoir. Like a three-star Michelin meal, you will never forget Otto. Now the world will get to know the great friend that I’ve had the pleasure of knowing for decades. Within these pages is his story, in his words. No one better to tell it.  JOSEPH KELLER CHEF-OWNER, COMPANY OF THE CAULDRON NANTUCKET, MASSACHUSETTS