8 Industry Memoirs We Loved in 2025

We were blessed with an incredible lineup of industry memoirs in 2025. From industry veterans to behind-the-scenes voices, these books gave us a front-row seat to the kitchens, dining rooms, and personal journeys that shaped some of the biggest names in hospitality. Check out our favorites!

Between Two Waters by Pam Brunton (released January 2025)

Pam Brunton's work at Inver on Scotland's west coast has earned her a following for her hyper-local, seasonal cooking. In this memoir, she writes about building a restaurant that's as connected to the land and sea as it is to the people who dine there.

Cellar Rat: My Life in the Restaurant Underbelly by Hannah Selinger (released March 2025)

Hannah Selinger takes us into the world of wine service and the often-overlooked sommeliers who shape our dining experiences. Her memoir is a love letter to the craft (and chaos) of working in wine programs.

Care and Feeding by Laurie Woolever (released March 2025)

Laurie Woolever spent years working for Mario Batali and Anthony Bourdain, but this memoir is about much more than her famous bosses. She writes with unflinching honesty about addiction, ambition, and the messy reality of building a career in food while the industry faces a long-overdue cultural reckoning.

Change the Recipe by José Andrés (released April 2025)

José Andrés isn’t just the head of a culinary empire; he’s one of the most important humanitarian voices in food with his work at World Central Kitchen. Andrés shares how food can be a force for change and what it takes to build something that feeds both body and spirit.

I Regret Almost Everything by Keith McNally (released May 2025)

Keith McNally has defined NYC dining for decades with iconic institutions like Balthazar, Pastis, and The Odeon. His brutally honest memoir examines the personal cost of building an empire and whether his sacrifices were worth the success.

Fireproof: Memoir of a Chef by Curtis Duffy (released August 2025)

Curtis Duffy has earned three Michelin stars at both Avenues and Grace, cementing his place among Chicago's culinary elite. His memoir explores the discipline, loss, and resilience required to reach the highest levels of fine dining.

I'm Not Trying To Be Difficult: Stories from the Restaurant Trenches by Drew Nieporent (released September 2025)

Drew Nieporent has spent over four decades building some of the most influential restaurants in New York, from Tribeca Grill to the first Nobu. Nieporent shares how he navigated partnerships and built restaurants that became cultural institutions, with some stories about everyone from Frank Sinatra to Martha Stewart along the way. 

The Bottomless Cup: A Memoir of Secrets, Restaurants, and Forgiveness by Kevin Boehm (released November 2025)

Kevin Boehm co-founded Boka Restaurant Group, one of the most successful hospitality groups in Chicago (and, perhaps, the country). This memoir goes beyond business to explore family, identity, and how personal history shapes the restaurants he builds.

What stories and voices will emerge from the industry in 2026? We can’t wait to find out!