In The Raw Lessons from a Chef's Life, veteran chef and author Moses Hernandez offers a powerful and personal collection of insights drawn from nearly three decades in the kitchen. This special abridged edition, adapted from his memoir The Raw Journey: A Chef's Honest Path Towards Growth, is crafted specifically for the next generation of culinary professionals-line cooks, dishwashers, sous chefs, and aspiring leaders alike.
Hernandez's journey has taken him through restaurants, casinos, hospitals, monasteries, nursing homes, and elite private schools. Along the way, he battled addiction, overcame obesity, found sobriety, and rediscovered purpose. Through it all, the kitchen remained both sanctuary and proving ground-a place where grit, humility, and discipline shaped not only his craft but his character.
This edition is more than just a reflection-it's a gift. A raw, honest offering of lessons learned, mistakes made, and wisdom earned. With heart, humor, and hard truth, Hernandez encourages young culinarians to lead with integrity, embrace growth, and carve out their own paths in a demanding yet deeply rewarding industry.
Whether you're fresh on the line or charting a future in food service, this book is a hand extended from one chef to another. Take what you need. Leave better than you came.
- A breakout memoir rising across Google & Bing, appearing in top results for chef memoir, chef sobriety book, chef addiction book, chef recovery memoir, Bronx chef memoir, and chef mental health book.
- Adopted by major library systems across the U.S. and Canada, including Los Angeles County, Jacksonville, Philadelphia, Delaware, Colorado, New Hampshire and multiple New Jersey regional networks.
- Distributed worldwide, available through international retailers across the U.S., U.K., Europe, Australia, India, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.
- Carried by global booksellers, including Porrúa (Mexico) - one of the largest and most respected bookstore chains in Latin America.
- Used in high schools, culinary programs, correctional bookstores and recovery groups as a teaching tool for resilience, mental health, and lived experience in the culinary world.
- Praised by hospitality leaders, educators, and mental-health advocates for its honesty, depth, and real-world impact.
- A rising voice in the conversation around chef mental health, addiction recovery, burnout, leadership, and emotional truth in the kitchen.
- Featured on podcasts and social platforms, connecting with thousands of readers, chefs, students, and individuals in recovery.
- Written by a chef with nearly 30 years on the line, over eight years of sobriety, and more than 140 pounds lost - a story built on lived truth, not theory.
- A global resilience story resonating across cultures, communities, and kitchens - proof that growth is possible at any age, in any environment, and after any fall.
Moses Hernandez is a professional chef, mentor, and storyteller with nearly three decades in the culinary industry. Born and raised in the South Bronx, Moses built his passion for food from family kitchens filled with love and tradition. Over the years, he has led diverse teams in hospitals, private schools, and corporate food service, always guided by a deep respect for the craft and the people who practice it.
A survivor of addiction and an advocate for personal growth, Moses uses his journey to inspire others, proving that purpose, perseverance, and a little humor can light the way forward. When he isn't creating memorable meals, he enjoys sharing his art, supporting young chefs, and celebrating the power of second chances.
