I found it beautiful that I stumbled upon this book in a tiny little bookstore in Bar Harbor, Maine while traveling with friends. A long-time fan of Erin French and her cookbooks, I was unaware her memoir existed. And while we just noted Ina Garten’s memoir in October, Finding Freedom was incredibly worthy of noting in November – especially as we welcome in the family recipe season of love.

In Finding Freedom, chef Erin French shares her remarkable journey with raw honesty and poetic detail, taking readers from her humble beginnings in rural Maine to the creation of her renowned restaurant, The Lost Kitchen. Known for its seasonal, locally sourced meals and its magical setting in a restored mill, The Lost Kitchen draws diners from around the world, but Finding Freedom reveals the personal struggles that shaped the resilient, creative woman behind it.

French’s story is both heartbreaking and inspiring. She opens up about her turbulent relationships, addiction struggles, and the battle to reclaim her own life and career after a painful divorce and a period of near-destitution. This isn’t a sanitized tale of success; it’s an honest account of the sacrifices, hard work, and sheer grit it took for French to forge her path in the culinary world. Her storytelling is intimate and unfiltered, offering readers a glimpse into her darkest moments and the fierce determination that ultimately guided her forward.

French’s love for food and cooking pulses throughout the book. She describes how food became both her refuge and her passion, providing comfort during hard times and a sense of connection to her community. Her descriptions of cooking are vivid and sensory, bringing readers right into the kitchen as she works with ingredients fresh from the Maine landscape.

The memoir is also a tribute to the resilience of small-town life and the beauty of Maine’s rugged, rural charm. French’s deep connection to her home state shines through, as she weaves in reflections on the land, seasons, and community that have profoundly shaped her.

Finding Freedom is ultimately a story of survival, reinvention, and self-discovery. French’s voice is strong and authentic, making it easy to root for her and to celebrate the triumphs she’s carved from her struggles. Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of perseverance, passion, and self-belief, making this book a must-read for anyone who’s faced their own challenges or needs a reminder that change, while difficult, is often just within reach.

In a world of neatly packaged success stories, Finding Freedom stands out as a deeply human narrative—messy, resilient, and beautifully real.