From Scratch cover art

From Scratch

A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home

 Preview
Try Premium Plus free
1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

From Scratch

By: Tembi Locke
Narrated by: Tembi Locke
Try Premium Plus free

Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $26.99

Buy Now for $26.99

About this listen

 A 2020 Audie Award Finalist

One of AudioFile’s Best Audiobooks of 2019!

Now a limited Netflix series starring Zoe Saldaña!

This Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick and New York Times bestseller is “a captivating story of love lost and found” (Kirkus Reviews) set in the lush Sicilian countryside, where one woman discovers the healing powers of food, family, and unexpected grace in her darkest hours.

It was love at first sight when actress Tembi met professional chef, Saro, on a street in Florence. There was just one problem: Saro’s traditional Sicilian family did not approve of his marrying a black American woman. However, the couple, heartbroken but undeterred, forged on. They built a happy life in Los Angeles, with fulfilling careers, deep friendships, and the love of their lives: a baby girl they adopted at birth. Eventually, they reconciled with Saro’s family just as he faced a formidable cancer that would consume all their dreams.

From Scratch chronicles three summers Tembi spends in Sicily with her daughter, Zoela, as she begins to piece together a life without her husband in his tiny hometown hamlet of farmers. Where once Tembi was estranged from Saro’s family, now she finds solace and nourishment—literally and spiritually—at her mother-in-law’s table. In the Sicilian countryside, she discovers the healing gifts of simple fresh food, the embrace of a close knit community, and timeless traditions and wisdom that light a path forward. All along the way she reflects on her and Saro’s romance—an incredible love story that leaps off the pages.

In Sicily, it is said that every story begins with a marriage or a death—in Tembi Locke’s case, it is both. “Locke’s raw and heartfelt memoir will uplift readers suffering from the loss of their own loved ones” (Publishers Weekly), but her story is also about love, finding a home, and chasing flavor as an act of remembrance. From Scratch is for anyone who has dared to reach for big love, fought for what mattered most, and those who needed a powerful reminder that life is...delicious. Culinary Professionals & Academics Marriage Memoir Heartfelt

Critic Reviews

"Actor Tembi Locke narrates her memoir in a smooth, warm voice that carries the listener through her story of falling in love with Saro, an engaging Sicilian chef, his early death from cancer, and how time with his family helped heal her intense grief. Locke's memoir frequently shifts timeframes, alternately voicing the devastation of his death and the joy of their life together. Locke captivates as she tells of her love for Saro and their daughter, Zoela; the pain of rejection by his family when he married her, a black American; and the bittersweet joy of reconciliation during his illness. Listeners will savor Locke's lyrical English and Italian, and will be swept away by scenes in his Sicilian village of finding solace in food made with love."
All stars
Most relevant
A beautiful story of life’s up and downs. Tembi paints such a beautiful picture of a little town in Sicily with its traditions and what everyday life looks life.

Good for the soul

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I recently had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook "From Scratch" by Tembi Locke, and I must say that it was a very well written memoir. The author shares her personal story of love, loss, and the journey of self-discovery in the aftermath of her husband's passing.

The story is centered around the author's relationship with her late husband, but it is also a story about the many different kinds of love that exist in our lives - the love between a mother and daughter, the love between a wife and her mother-in-law, especially discovered after her husband is gone and the love for a new land, while finding her new self after a big loss. I found the author's honesty and vulnerability to be both refreshing and inspiring.

The audiobook is read by the author herself, and her voice is warm and engaging. I felt as though I was sitting across from her, listening to her tell her story in person. Overall, I would highly recommend "From Scratch" to anyone who enjoys a good love story or who is looking for inspiration in the face of loss and adversity. It is a truly uplifting and unforgettable memoir that will stay with you long after you have finished listening

beautiful love story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Cried, wept, giggled, smiled, loved!
A heart-breaking story with the mighty power of hope and love.

AH-MAZING

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
actually cried in this book very sad but very beautiful and learnt a lot about sicilian culture as well

so touching

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Beautifully written and even more beautifully read by the author. I enjoyed this audiobook in 2 days because I couldn't get myself to stop.
A humbling love story and an homage to the rich Italian/Sicilian culture, the vulnerability of love and loss, the intricacy of family, and intimacy of grief.

This book takes you on a journey of love, culture and family

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Loved everything about this memoir. It was so eloquently written and so beautifully described, I felt every emotion and could imagine every scene play out in my mind. Saro and Tembi's love is one which will transcend time.

Loved It

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I found the main character, petulant. Like, why is she having a hissy fit about her in-laws coming over to stay after her husband was diagnosed with cancer? The whole story was also her thoughts and this made it, quite bland. I’m left wondering what all the fuss was about…

Really?

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
it such a beautiful story with so much heart. it left me teary in so many sections and wanting more

a delightful read

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I'm a practical gal, but this story will make anyone believe in true love ~ unbelievable.

Gorgeous !

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This is a wonderful story, a journey of love, sadness, grieving and finding happiness. Beautifully read by Tembi, thank you for sharing your recipes.

Beautiful Story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.