Raw Journey Book Review From Chrisdropsthebooks on Instagram
Every now and then, feedback stops you in your tracks — not because it’s glowing, but because it’s thoughtful, measured, and honest.
This review came from someone who knew me before The Raw Journey was published, but who approached it the way he approaches every book he reads: with care, curiosity, and a critical eye. That matters.
Taken from @chrisdropsthebooks on Instagram
“chrisdropsthebooks
Book 1 of 2026: THE RAW JOURNEY: A CHEF’S HONEST PATH TOWARDS GROWTH, Moses Hernandez
I think I’ve reached a first in my reading adventures: a memoir from someone I knew before it was published.
Moses Hernandez is the head chef at the UES private school where I work. From day one, he’s been personable, positive, and seemingly unflappable. I mean, you can’t be “flapped” when you serve heaps of healthy meals to five hundred-plus genius boys. It can be an intense place, but that never seems to get to him. Refreshing, then, to see behind the scenes just how he arrived at that cheerful attitude. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t easy.
Hernandez takes the first half to lead us swiftly through his early years. He spares us much of the rough detail but sufficient to say he grew up in the notorious South Bronx. Rather than shock us with the negative, he focuses on the positive people in his life, giving them tangible character and personality. He paints his father, troubled by addiction, with a clear lens and accurate color, not excusing his behavior but affording him understanding and forgiveness. His powers of disclosure have depth and thought.
Thus, the book is as advertised: raw and honest. Other authors might’ve blamed their mistakes on their past, but not him. His brand of optimism always sees the light at the end of the tunnel. His description of rehab is a short, sweet blueprint for anyone enduring the same.
When it comes to food, gratitude is the name of the game. The Bourdain-esque passion is there, but you won’t find him bragging about his Johnson and Wales education or years of service. No, he portrays himself as more servant than master, more acolyte than high priest. He shares stories of feeding hungry students, groups of elderly nuns, large groups in non-profit institutions. Of course, you can see the expertise and art in what he does, but he seems to prefer serving you and me, not the rich and famous. For that matter, he spends a lot of time describing and thanking inspiring and helpful mentors and supervisors.
And thus, everything in that section lines up perfectly with the smiling dude I see almost every day: always upbeat, even if the work is hard and the past was rocky.
The latter half of the book describes “truths” and “realities” he’s learned over those years. That’s good for a pick-me-up or reality check once in a while. One of them, in particular, helped me to adjust my approach to something.
Now, if there’s a criticism, it’s this: I wanted more music. Hernandez tells us of his dreams of hip-hop glory and his passion for rap. So, maybe the next volume of The Raw Journey is a collection of poems or songs from DJ Hernandez?
Whatever the case, what makes this story memorable is that the voice is unmistakably his. No one else could tell this tale, and no one could imitate it. He should rightly take pride in writing a unique and honest account of a chef’s life.
Congratulations, Moses!”
What meant the most wasn’t the praise — it was the care taken in reading it.
When someone who reads this much slows down and really sees the work, that’s a gift. I’m grateful for the time, the honesty, and the reminder that stories land where they’re meant to.
Thank you Chris!
