Synopses & Reviews
When two former members of Los Angeles' most nefarious rival gangs decided to unite under one oven, they had no idea that they would be creating an empire. Trap Kitchen is more than just a cookbook. It's a glimpse into the meals that have now become famous in the LA streets thanks to the series of pop-up restaurants that continue to bloom throughout the area. Celebrities and residents alike flock to the locations for soulful meals, but it's more than that.
Having lost friends and family to violence, we learn how the masterminds behind Trap Kitchen sought to change the paths they were on, using cooking as their driving force. While other cookbooks may boast a level of urban-skewed appeal in their realness, this cookbook also delves into the stories of why they became involved in cooking in the first place.
It's both a heartfelt and stomach-filling experience to learn how two men changed their stars by seeking out peace and good food for themselves and their community.
Review
"Jenkins and Smith,
who once belonged to rival L.A. gangs, became friends and started a
catering business marketed solely on Instagram. Media outlets took
notice...paving the way for their
debut cookbook" Publishers Weekly
Review
"Two gang members from rival hoods have joined forces to prove that trapping can be a legitimate come up." Huffington Post
Review
"[T]he most successful
business models spring out of creating new from the ordinary. By creating a
full-service, underground catering business, two Compton...young men have experienced the power of social media,
scrappy business and good food." Forbes
About the Author
Malachi Jenkins and Roberto Smith are
childhood friends from neighboring rival gangs, brought together by
their two passions: food and girls. Today they are the co-founders and
owners of Trap Kitchen LA. The underground culinary experience was
completely fueled off Instagram. Their colorful past has made them media
darlings, having appeared on the Today Show, Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party, VICE, The Huffington Post, Fox 11 News, and BET.
Marisa Mendez is a media personality and journalist who has
built her reputation around all things digital, working for some of the
biggest names in entertainment and hip-hop. The New Jersey native is
most recognized for her work as the co-host of Joe Budden's I'll Name
This Podcast Later, at Hot 97 on Ebro In The Morning, and as a writer on
Funkmaster Flex's blog, In Flex We Trust. After leaving Joe's podcast,
Marisa launched her own, Marisa Explains It All, which hit number one on
iTunes' Music Podcasts chart after just two episodes. In addition to
her career on the mic, she is also a digital strategist, and has managed
social media campaigns for Pusha T's clothing line Play Cloths, French
Montana, Swizz Beatz, Nicki Minaj and more.