Trap Kitchen: Bangin' Recipes from Compton /// Malachi Jenkins, Roberto Smith and Marisa Mendez

Meet Spank and News—the chefs behind the cult-favorite Los Angeles restaurant—in this “part recipe collection and part autobiography” that “details the duo’s rise from gang life to cooking for the likes of Snoop Dogg and Kendrick Lamar” (Time Out).
 
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 a glimpse into the meals that have now become famous in the L.A. 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.
 
Inside, you’ll also find over 30 fun, delicious recipes that have delighted the restaurant’s famous clientele, such as:
 
• Trap Mac
• Bacon and Young Cheesy
• Too Much Sauce BBQ Chicken
• Chicken & Waffles
• Seafood Gumbo
• Skrrrrrt Steak
• All In My Grill Salmon
• Young Chops on the Heat
 
Trap Kitchen is 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.

BIO

Malachi Jenkins is the co-founders and co-owners of Trap Kitchen. 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.

REVIEWS

“Soon after the neighborhood got wind of Trap Kitchen’s impeccable service, celebrities caught on to the food craze . . . Tyrese was an early client, and now the duo boasts a star-studded clientele including Justin Bieber, Dave Chappelle, Chris Brown, Common (pictured above), Tyga, Kylie Jenner, Kendall Jenner, Ice Cube, Anthony Anderson, Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, Post Malone, The Roots and August Alsina.” -- Billboard    

“Anything but conventional—but then again, the culinary come-up of Malachi Jenkins and Roberto Smith was anything but conventional. Part recipe collection and part autobiography, the Trap Kitchen book details the duo’s rise from gang life to cooking for the likes of Snoop and Kendrick Lamar.  They also make food fun. Hands-down, it’s the most enjoyable read on this list.” -- Time Out

“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, as did Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart, paving the way for their debut cookbook” -- Publishers Weekly

“Two gang members from rival hoods have joined forces to prove that trapping can be a legitimate come up.” -- Huffington Post

“With more than 284,000 followers on Instagram, Trap Kitchen is a true Los Angeles success story . . . The media eventually got a whiff of the venture and business immediately exploded. Jenkins has since catered for the likes of Snoop Dog and Tyrese—even Martha Stewart.” -- LA Weekly

[H]  Kingston Imperial  /  January 02, 2018

0.4" H x 9.0" L x 7.3" W (0.85 lbs) 110 pages