Preview
  • Where I Come From

  • Life Lessons from a Latino Chef
  • By: Aarón Sánchez
  • Narrated by: Aarón Sánchez
  • Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (741 ratings)

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Where I Come From

By: Aarón Sánchez
Narrated by: Aarón Sánchez
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Publisher's summary

America’s most prominent Latino chef shares the story behind his food, his family, and his professional journey

Before Chef Aaron Sanchez rose to fame on shows like MasterChef and Chopped, he was a restless Mexican-American son, raised by a fiercely determined and talented woman who was a successful chef and restaurateur in her own right - she is credited with bringing Mexican cuisine to the New York City dining scene. In many ways, Sanchez, who lost his father at a young age, was destined to follow in his mother Zarela’s footsteps. He spent nights as a child in his family’s dining room surrounded by some of the most influential chefs and restaurateurs in New York. At 16, needing direction, he was sent by his mother to work for renowned chef Paul Prudhomme in New Orleans.

In this memoir, Sanchez delves into his formative years with remarkable candor, injecting his story with adrenaline and revealing how he fell in love with cooking and started a career in the fast-paced culinary world. Sanchez shares the invaluable lessons he learned from his upbringing and his training - both inside and outside the kitchen - and offers an intimate look into the chaotic and untraditional life of a professional chef and television personality. This memoir is Sanchez’s highly personal account of a fatherless Latino kid whose talent and passion took him to the top of his profession.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2019 Roux, Inc. (P)2019 Audible, Inc.

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Featured Article: Latino Stories in Biographies & Memoirs


In modern America, the interchangeable use of the words "Hispanic" and "Latino" blends two identities that are inherently unique in their own right. While Hispanic refers to those who speak Spanish, Latino generally denotes geography, referring to people of Latin American descent. This collection seeks to embody a few Latino narratives from authors descended from Latin America. Press play on these inspiring listens.

Editorial Review

Aarón Sánchez, a notable chef and television star, took inspiration from his mother to pursue the chef profession. For generations, tenacity defined his family line, and he behooves you to realize that he has quite a life outside his kitchen.
Things weren't always easy, and he lost his dad early on, but the determinedness of his mom kept him pushing until his passion for food matured, which didn't take long at all. From his robust point of view, his Mexican-American culture and what it brings to his devotion celebrates his childhood and adulthood-- while acknowledging the real-life issues and subjects that had impacted him.
In the best-selling unabridged audiobook, Where I Come From, Aarón Sánchez provides insight into what it has been like for him as a product of the cooking elite. Kitchen expertise runs through his veins, and with a pinch of torch-passing and a dash of natural talent, he is a story of success and Latinidad in high places. In this Audible Original audiobook, his honest and raw narration captures the essence of authentic chef...er…linguistics– and honestly, you may be left both entertained and hungry at the end.
Although not sugar-coated, Where I Come From is exceptionally welcoming as he explains with deep affection his story and the lessons he's learned throughout his journey. What's refreshing is that he takes accountability for what has transpired in his life while still holding those dear to him accountable. This heavily tattooed chef raised by a village of adults is now a perfect mold of a top-notch chef, and these lessons are, at heart, optimistic. For the Mexican-American foodie and restaurant worker, all the same, Sánchez gets deep and will show you an individual that is more than just flour and spices. —Audible Latino Editor

What listeners say about Where I Come From

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Wonderful insight

Wonderful insight into a Mexican American Chef. Thank you Chef for being vulnerable by letting us in to your personal life, struggles, and enlightenment.

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A Love Letter

Chef Aarón writes a beautiful, vulnerable, love letter of his heritage and his passion for using food to learn from, educate, and most important, care for others.

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The same as on TV

if you enjoy watching this author when he is on TV, then you will enjoy this book. There are times when you can tell is not a professional voice actor, but hearing his story in his own words and voice is still an enjoyable combination.

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Worth the listen

He is a true storyteller, with a sense of humor and a deep appreciation of food, family, and his path. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

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great story

inspirational and enlightening. felt like like I was sitting at a bar and catching up with a friend.

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Entertaining & Encitefull

This was a good listen, Aaron Sanchez is a pretty interesting dude! His life and stories are entertaining and encitefull. this book and his voice shows his passion for everything in his life. This is very much worth the purchase price!

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Fantastic and brutally honest!

As a fellow El Pasoan, and former restaurateur, I can totally relate to Aaron's story. His brutally honest and transparent approach to this story is both fascinating and captivating. I couldn't stop listening and was even late to an appointment one time because I couldn't turn it off. Great job Aaron!

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Beautiful story of a human in development

Love this book as a Texas woman I understand the powers we process strong determination and love of land and food ! Thanks for sharing your story with us and respect for strong women in your life and development as well as all the truth about how hard it is being human !

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Just extraordinary!

It is like using your sense of smell and taste, altogether with your emotions through the author narrative.

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absolutely amazing

highly recommend. it's so intimate the entire tune I felt I was having a conversation with Aaron himself.

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