From Prison to the Kitchen: Chef Keith Corbin’s Inspirational Journey Powered by Food

From Prison to the Kitchen: Chef Keith Corbin’s Inspirational Journey Powered by Food

Allie Murray

Chef Keith Corbin has worked his way up the ranks of the chef world—earning himself two James Beard nominations, co-owning his own restaurant, and releasing a best-selling novel California Soul: An American Epic of Cooking and Survival. His accolades boast a successful career; however, if you had asked him about his future some 20 years ago, he never would’ve considered where he is now.

Corbin grew up in the Jordan Downs housing projects in Watts, California, and, like so many youth in underserved communities, was pulled in with gangs and drug dealing. These experiences led to Corbin being incarcerated and spending 10 years in prison on drug charges. It was there that his cooking journey began, where he worked in kitchens and experimented with ingredients and flavors.

“When I first started learning to cook, I never could have imagined the level of success and satisfaction it would bring me in the future,” Corbin explained. “Today, I’m grateful for the journey I embarked upon when I first started learning to cook. It has led me to discover a deep sense of fulfillment, personal growth, and creative expression.”

Coming out of prison, Corbin began working at LocoL, a restaurant with a unique twist on fast food. The restaurant was run in Watts by celebrity chefs Roy Choi and Daniel Patterson. Corbin worked at the local restaurant until it closed in 2018, but during the three years he spent working closely with Patterson, they formed a new idea: Alta Adams, a restaurant serving California soul food, fusing the southern flavors the pair knew and loved, with traditional west African food that Corbin learned to cook with his grandmother in his youth.

“One of the most significant impacts of this relationship has been the immense knowledge and skill I have gained from working alongside such a talented chef,” Corbin said of his partnership with Patterson. “Chef Daniel Patterson’s culinary expertise is unparalleled, and being able to observe and learn from him has elevated my own culinary abilities to new heights.”

Despite LocoL closing in 2018, Corbin and Patterson are now reimagining the restaurant as a nonprofit, striving to provide healthy and affordable food in underserved communities.

“With the relaunch of LocoL as a nonprofit, our main goal is to continue the mission that we started in Watts,” Corbin said. “Ultimately, our vision for the relaunched LocoL as a nonprofit is to inspire change, challenge the conventional norms of the fast-food industry, and prove that access to nutritious and affordable food can be a reality for all.”

Corbin’s passion for giving back doesn’t end there: he is a sought-after public speaker and mentor to youth in underserved communities, speaking at colleges and educational programs across the country.

In 2022, he released his debut novel, telling his story of coming into the spotlight, struggling with the “gangbanger redemption” portrayal of him in the media. Corbin wanted to reclaim the narrative, telling his own story of culinary achievement.

“Through my narrative, I wanted to offer hope and encouragement to those who may find themselves in similar circumstances,” Corbin explained. “I aimed to show that despite the difficulties, it is possible to rebuild one’s life, find purpose, and create positive lasting change. I wanted to inspire individuals to believe in their own potential for transformation and to understand that their past does not define their future.”

The novel has received accolades from the Los Angeles Times and the James Beard Foundation Book Awards, among others.

Corbin is always creating, noting that his favorite culinary creation is always the next one. He urged that while creating something new, it’s important to remember that trying and failing is part of the journey.

“Amidst all the excitement and adventure, it’s important to remember that failure is an integral part of success,” he explained. “Every great achievement is built upon a foundation of mistakes and setbacks. It’s in those moments of failure that we learn valuable lessons, gain resilience, and develop the determination to keep moving forward.”