Kimi's Kitchen - by Kimi Werner & Nicole Gormley & Jennifer Fiedler (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Dive into the abundance of the ocean and reconnect with nature through food in this deeply personal guide to wild cooking, with more than 80 recipes inspired by the memories and ingredients that have shaped spearfishing champion, chef, and award-winning environmentalist, Kimi Werner"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Dive into the abundance of the ocean and reconnect with nature through food in this deeply personal guide to wild cooking, with more than 80 recipes inspired by the memories and ingredients that have shaped spearfishing champion, chef, and award-winning environmentalist, Kimi Werner.

Kimi grew up getting lost in the magic of the ocean while tagging along with her dad on his spearfishing dives off the coast of Maui. Upon returning from freediving, Kimi's family would prepare his catches into wholesome meals. Though her family drifted away from this simple lifestyle, she reconnected with these practices at the age of 24--and is now one of the most celebrated spearfishers in the world.

For Kimi, going to the ocean and catching her own food reignited a sense of belonging with nature. Kimi's Kitchen, a collaboration with award-winning filmmaker Nicole Gormley and food writer Jennifer Fiedler, is both an intimate biography and a collection of recipes drawn from a lifetime in the ocean. From her roots in Hawaii and the food that raised her to the lessons and meals she's learned from adventures around the globe, Kimi invites you into her world with each recipe, where sustenance is earned, gratitude is practiced, and every meal tells a story of connection. Her Simple Fried Fish is a generational recipe that made the whole family happy when she was a kid and now does the same for her son Buddy. Her mom's Ugly Dumplings were constantly requested at potlucks, and are a delicious way to elevate a variety of fish. With Lettuce Wraps, Kimi revisits her travels through Southeast Asia while dressing up wild game with fresh herbs and tangy dipping sauce. Every chapter is full of practical swaps and simple techniques, making the book accessible to beginners, seasoned cooks, and hunters alike.

Through 100 breathtaking photos, Kimi and her team take you on dives and into her kitchen, presenting a vibrant view of sustainable living. Her grounded, easygoing spirit reminds us that it's okay to slow down and break a few rules. In cooking a little more wild, we might just rediscover something essential in ourselves.

Review Quotes

"From the moment I met Kimi Werner, I felt that deep, quiet strength--the kind born of the ocean, the 'āina, and the wisdom of our kūpuna. Kimi is a world-class freediver, a skilled huntress, a true artist with food, and a guardian of the earth. She lives what she teaches. Every dive and every dish are rooted in respect for culture, community, and the next generation. This book is her invitation back to simplicity and balance, to living in rhythm with the natural world. I'm proud to call Kimi my friend, my sister, my teacher. May these pages inspire you to move with reverence, live with purpose, and protect what you love."--Jason Momoa, actor, filmmaker, entrepreneur, and ocean advocate

"That's who [Kimi] is--generous, grounded, and ready for adventure. This book brings it all together--her values, her underwater adventures, her roots. It's not just a cookbook. It's a reminder of how to live in better balance with the world around us."--Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, environmentalist, and author of Let My People Go Surfing

"Kimi is one of my favorite people in the world and one of my favorite cooks. Her food is deliberate and passionate. She cooks as a way of honoring her ingredients and honoring her guests. The best thing that could happen for you is getting invited to Kimi's for dinner. The next best thing is to cook from this book."--Steven Rinella, author and host of The MeatEater Podcast

"There is so much humility and power in this book. I don't want to categorize it as any certain thing other than necessary. Read well, soak it up like a needed nutrient, and fall into what true, full-bodied health is."--Josh Brolin, actor and author of From Under the Truck

"Kimi Werner is a badass mana wahine. Whenever she's at the BBQ, the food always tastes better! I'm stoked on this book because I'll cook whatever she tells me."--Jack Johnson, musician and environmentalist

"It's hard not to admire and love Kimi Werner for her incredible career as a spearfisher, but that's just the surface of who she is. She is also one of the nicest people I know and one hell of a cook! From bounties of the sea to hunting and gardening, Kimi shines when cooking for her family and friends. This book captures why we cook, why we gather, and why food matters."--Brad Leone, chef, author, and food personality

About the Author

Kimi Werner is a national champion free-diving spearfisher, chef, and an advocate for environmental conservation. She has been featured in Bon Appetit, Outside, Sports Illustrated, USA Today, as well as on National Geographic, Fox, the BBC, Gordon Ramsey: Uncharted, and Padma Lakshmi's Taste the Nation, She lives in Waialua, HI, with her husband Justin Turkowski and son, Buddy.

Nicole Gormley is an award-winning filmmaker, photographer, and ocean advocate dedicated to telling stories that inspire people to rethink our relationship with the natural world. She has produced and directed projects for the world's leading media outlets, including Netflix, PBS, and National Geographic, and received the Tribeca Film Festival's Award for Best New Documentary Director.

Jennifer Fiedler was born and raised on O'ahu. She is a Hale'iwa-based food-and-drink writer, recipe tester, and author of The Essential Bar Book and co-author of Lei Aloha.