In 'From Scratch,' Tembi Locke delivers a poignant memoir that intertwines love, loss, and the healing power of food. After her husband's battle with cancer, Tembi embarks on a journey to honor his memory by rediscovering their shared passion for cooking. Set against the backdrop of Italy, the narrative is rich with sensory details that evoke the flavors and aromas of family recipes. Through her culinary adventures and heartfelt reflections, she explores the connections that transcend loss, ultimately finding solace in creating new traditions. This evocative tale invites readers to savor the bittersweet journey of grief and celebration.
By Tembi Locke
Published: 2020
"Life is a recipe made of choices, memories, and love; each ingredient shaping who we become."
Now a limited Netflix series starring Zoe Saldana! This Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick and New York Times bestseller is “a captivating story of love lost and found” (Kirkus Reviews) set in the lush Sicilian countryside, where one woman discovers the healing powers of food, family, and unexpected grace in her darkest hours. It was love at first sight when actress Tembi met professional chef, Saro, on a street in Florence. There was just one problem: Saro’s traditional Sicilian family did not approve of his marrying a black American woman. However, the couple, heartbroken but undeterred, forged on. They built a happy life in Los Angeles, with fulfilling careers, deep friendships, and the love of their lives: a baby girl they adopted at birth. Eventually, they reconciled with Saro’s family just as he faced a formidable cancer that would consume all their dreams. From Scratch chronicles three summers Tembi spends in Sicily with her daughter, Zoela, as she begins to piece together a life without her husband in his tiny hometown hamlet of farmers. Where once Tembi was estranged from Saro’s family, now she finds solace and nourishment—literally and spiritually—at her mother-in-law’s table. In the Sicilian countryside, she discovers the healing gifts of simple fresh food, the embrace of a close knit community, and timeless traditions and wisdom that light a path forward. All along the way she reflects on her and Saro’s romance—an incredible love story that leaps off the pages. In Sicily, it is said that every story begins with a marriage or a death—in Tembi Locke’s case, it is both. “Locke’s raw and heartfelt memoir will uplift readers suffering from the loss of their own loved ones” (Publishers Weekly), but her story is also about love, finding a home, and chasing flavor as an act of remembrance. From Scratch is for anyone who has dared to reach for big love, fought for what mattered most, and those who needed a powerful reminder that life is...delicious.
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“Life is a recipe made of choices, memories, and love; each ingredient shaping who we become.”
From Scratch
By Tembi Locke
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Tembi Locke is an acclaimed author and actress known for her compelling storytelling and vibrant portrayals of culture and identity. She is the author of the bestseller 'From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home,' which reflects her experiences of love, loss, and the healing power of food. Locke's writing style is characterized by its lyricism and emotional depth, often weaving personal narrative with rich cultural elements, drawing readers into her heartfelt journey. In addition to her literary accomplishments, she has a notable career in television and film, contributing her unique perspective to diverse narratives.
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