Watch Corey Lee talking about his new book Benu

It's been described as 'one of the most anticipated cookbooks of the Spring season' - here's Corey to tell you why

We're happy to bring you this teaser video, shot in San Francisco last summer, for our upcoming book with benu chef Corey Lee. In it Corey alludes to how the book - described by foodie website Eater as "one of the most anticipated of the Spring cookbook season" - is uniquely presented as a 33-course tasting menu in which the reader experiences the drama and poetry of his cooking through recipes and beautifully written essays, each detailing his inspirations and motivations.

“The book is about a menu at benu and hopefully we can convey the experience of dining at benu,” Corey says before going on to explain: “When people ask me what sort of restaurant benu is, my first answer is: it’s an American restaurant. It’s open to the influence of all different kinds of cultures.”

 

Corey Lee on Benu

 

At the three Michelin-starred San Francisco restaurant, Korean-born Corey creates an eclectic, creative Asian-inspired American cuisine that explores identity, culture and belonging. As he says in the video: “Food is identity. It’s the most revealing thing about you, about a culture, where you come from how you live.” Indeed, Corey's book takes in the influences of western and eastern spices and even Kung-fu films on the food he creates. 

Having worked at some of the most acclaimed restaurants in England, France and America, including Thomas Keller’s French Laundry, benu has been proclaimed as the next big American restaurant by both the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal - David Chang has called it "the best restaurant in America". As such, in common with other thought-leader chefs such as René Redzepi, Ferran Adrià and Massimo Bottura, Corey has some philosophical advice for anyone engaged in any kind of creative endeavour, saying: “It’s really about finding yourself in your work and understanding that there’s meaning in finding yourself in your work.” Watch the video above and pre-order benu, out in April, here.