Cooking as Fast as I Can

A Chef’s Story of Family, Food, and Forgiveness

By: Cat Cora

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

Before she became a celebrated chef, Cathy Cora was just a girl from Jackson, Mississippi, where days were slow and every meal was made from scratch. Her passion for the kitchen started in her home, where she spent her days internalizing the dishes that would form the cornerstone of her cooking philosophy, incorporating her Greek heritage and Southern upbringing - from crispy fried chicken and honey-drenched biscuits to spanakopita. But outside the kitchen, Cat's life was volatile.

In Cooking as Fast as I Can, Cat Cora reveals, for the first time, coming-of-age experiences from early childhood sexual abuse to the realities of life as a lesbian in the Deep South. She shares how she found her passion in the kitchen and went on to attend the prestigious Culinary Institute of America and apprentice under Michelin-star chefs in France. After her big break as a cohost on the Food Network's Melting Pot, Cat broke barriers by becoming the first-ever female Iron Chef.

©2015 Catherine Cora (P)2015 Tantor

Critic reviews

"It is a must-read for those in search of true happiness." (Deepak Chopra, author of The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success)

"Cassandra Campbell successfully negotiates one of the trickier aspects of narrating autobiography: creating a personal connection between author and listener while remaining almost invisible.... Campbell uses a subtle Southern accent to help anchor Cora's background but wisely refrains from attempting impressions. Her performance imparts a satisfying emotional level, projecting sadness without becoming morose and highlighting the author's successes without going over the top. Campbell's nonjudgmental and respectful narration allows the chef's voice and personality to take center stage." ( AudioFile)

Always admired her; but now…

Overall theme appeared to be a spoiled, bad behaving chef (imagine that) who blames everything & everyone on her problems. Whine whine whine (& lots more WINE)

I really, really, really wanted to like this book

I'm not sure if it was the writing or the narrator who distracted me. I found some of the story interesting, especially her early life, her parents and her personal demons. I would have like more food insights, instead of just lists of food on her menus of places that she worked or created. The editing was also an issue. How many times does one have to read how many days a year she was traveling. It would have been nice if her editor pushed her to give more insight into the personalities of the Iron Chefs she worked with for all those years....not I won 56 to 48, etc. I just kept thinking, here is another list...I worked here, I created this, I was trying to create my brand, and blah, blah, blah.

Chef bios are one of my favorite genres. This book just didn't do it for me.

The book was great…we need a sequel!

Cat Cora has an incredible journey. She put it all out there for the reader. Sincere and self-aware. I hope she writes a follow up for everything in more recent years.

The narrator was great but I do wish Cat was the narrator.

Chef Cat Cora

The book was surprisingly raunchy regarding some of her sexual encounters; Then absolutely Ah-Mazing with regards to her culinary career. She's an awesome, talented Chef!!! I was born in The Delta, like her, but in Mound Bayou Ms. I'm glad I choose it, my favorite part is when she spoke of her parents, siblings, and adoptive parents.

Great listen for a chef

I love chef memoirs, being one myself. Love reading about the battles between kitchen life (esp being female) and personal life. Chef Cat is real, honest and entertaining in this book!