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Black, White, and The Grey: The Story of an Unexpected Friendship and a Beloved Restaurant
A story about the trials and triumphs of a Black chef from Queens, New York, and a White media entrepreneur from Staten Island who built a relationship and a restaurant in the Deep South, hoping to bridge biases and get people talking about race, gender, class, and culture.
In this dual memoir, Mashama Bailey and John O. Morisano take turns telling how they went from tentative business partners to dear friends while turning a dilapidated formerly segregated Greyhound bus station into The Grey, now one of the most celebrated restaurants in the country. Recounting the trying process of building their restaurant business, they examine their most painful and joyous times, revealing how they came to understand their differences, recognize their biases, and continuously challenge themselves and each other to be better.
Through it all, Bailey and Morisano display the uncommon vulnerability, humor, and humanity that anchor their relationship, showing how two citizens commit to playing their own small part in advancing equality against a backdrop of racism.
In this dual memoir, Mashama Bailey and John O. Morisano take turns telling how they went from tentative business partners to dear friends while turning a dilapidated formerly segregated Greyhound bus station into The Grey, now one of the most celebrated restaurants in the country. Recounting the trying process of building their restaurant business, they examine their most painful and joyous times, revealing how they came to understand their differences, recognize their biases, and continuously challenge themselves and each other to be better.
Through it all, Bailey and Morisano display the uncommon vulnerability, humor, and humanity that anchor their relationship, showing how two citizens commit to playing their own small part in advancing equality against a backdrop of racism.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 12, 2021
About the author
Mashama Bailey
5 books9 followersMashama is a New York City girl – born in the Bronx and raised in Queens. Her maternal roots hail from Waynseboro, GA and as a result Mashama attended grammar school in Savannah at Charles Ellis and spent many summers at her grandmother’s in Waynesboro. Mashama learned to cook at the hands of the women in her family with grandmothers, aunts and her mom giving her the best kind of education – a real world one. She attended ICE to round out that education and has studied in France and travelled far for food. She spent a dozen years cooking throughout New York City the last four of which were at Prune on Manhattan’s Lower East Side under the tutelage of her friend and mentor, Gabrielle Hamilton. As executive chef of The Grey, Mashama has earned a number of accolades, including James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef Southeast award in 2019. She also serves as Vice Chairman on the board of the Edna Lewis Foundation, working to preserve and celebrate Edna’s legacy that heavily influenced her menu at The Grey. Mashama surrounds herself with family, friends and food and she is a firm believer in the old adage that you learn something new every day.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 238 reviews
January 22, 2021
Black, White, and The Grey: The Story of an Unexpected Friendship and a Beloved Restaurant is a new book written by Chef Mashama Bailey and Johno Morisano of The Grey in Savannah, Georgia. The pair share the story behind their award winning restaurant.
I have to admit, when I first saw the title and premise of this book, I was concerned. A Black chef and white investor cowriting their experience of opening a restaurant together in the South? I was sure it would be some kind of kumbaya, food and laughter unites us. 2021’s nonfiction version of The Help.
Boy was I wrong.
I fell in love with the book–and Bailey’s unapologetic Blackness–on page 150, when Italian-American Morisano poses a question during their first trip to Savannah:
“By the way, what does your name–Mashama–mean? How’d you get it?”
Mashama laughed a little bit, explaining, “My dad was definitely a little bit Black Power in the 1970s. My parents gave us all African names…‘Mashama’ means ‘surprise’…”
“That’s cool,” I said, admittedly not having any real understanding of what Black power was.
And then, Mashama added, “Johno, you should know something as we get into this.”
“What’s that?”
“I’m a little Black Power too.”
This exchange between Bailey and Morisano captures the essence of the novel: race matters, always. It underlines our interactions, paths, and feelings about ourselves. And in dialogues of racial “reconciliation”, Black people carry the load of teaching and understanding while waiting for well-meaning white people to catch up.
Bailey and Morisano’s story is much more than one of an interracial friendship between successful restaurateurs. It is a testimony to the depth of work America must undertake if there will ever be racial equity.
Black people cannot be added as a postscript to the country we built. It is not enough to give us a seat at the table or a chef title in a building we were once excluded from. The systems must be remade in a way that fully include us. The entire structure has to be rebuilt. This is the only way we–Black and white people–can be true partners.
If I do say myself, Mashama, I’m a little Black Power too.
The Verdict:
Black, White, and The Grey: The Story of an Unexpected Friendship and a Beloved Restaurant is a fantastic book. I devoured it in two days. I was so interested in the dynamic between Bailey and Morisano as well as what really goes into opening a restaurant. The social relevance of it all is evident, and the recipes, particularly the Chicken Schnitzel in White BBQ Sauce and the Spicy Peanut Chocolate Parfait, are delicious. I can’t wait to visit Savannah and The Grey one day, to experience the storied history and taste Chef Mashama Bailey’s food.
The full length review is posted at https://thediasporicdish.com/the-grey....
I have to admit, when I first saw the title and premise of this book, I was concerned. A Black chef and white investor cowriting their experience of opening a restaurant together in the South? I was sure it would be some kind of kumbaya, food and laughter unites us. 2021’s nonfiction version of The Help.
Boy was I wrong.
I fell in love with the book–and Bailey’s unapologetic Blackness–on page 150, when Italian-American Morisano poses a question during their first trip to Savannah:
“By the way, what does your name–Mashama–mean? How’d you get it?”
Mashama laughed a little bit, explaining, “My dad was definitely a little bit Black Power in the 1970s. My parents gave us all African names…‘Mashama’ means ‘surprise’…”
“That’s cool,” I said, admittedly not having any real understanding of what Black power was.
And then, Mashama added, “Johno, you should know something as we get into this.”
“What’s that?”
“I’m a little Black Power too.”
This exchange between Bailey and Morisano captures the essence of the novel: race matters, always. It underlines our interactions, paths, and feelings about ourselves. And in dialogues of racial “reconciliation”, Black people carry the load of teaching and understanding while waiting for well-meaning white people to catch up.
Bailey and Morisano’s story is much more than one of an interracial friendship between successful restaurateurs. It is a testimony to the depth of work America must undertake if there will ever be racial equity.
Black people cannot be added as a postscript to the country we built. It is not enough to give us a seat at the table or a chef title in a building we were once excluded from. The systems must be remade in a way that fully include us. The entire structure has to be rebuilt. This is the only way we–Black and white people–can be true partners.
If I do say myself, Mashama, I’m a little Black Power too.
The Verdict:
Black, White, and The Grey: The Story of an Unexpected Friendship and a Beloved Restaurant is a fantastic book. I devoured it in two days. I was so interested in the dynamic between Bailey and Morisano as well as what really goes into opening a restaurant. The social relevance of it all is evident, and the recipes, particularly the Chicken Schnitzel in White BBQ Sauce and the Spicy Peanut Chocolate Parfait, are delicious. I can’t wait to visit Savannah and The Grey one day, to experience the storied history and taste Chef Mashama Bailey’s food.
The full length review is posted at https://thediasporicdish.com/the-grey....
December 9, 2020
This book reads as though one is sitting with the two authors and listening to their stories and memories. It flows easily and is interesting on many levels. Morisano dares to question the race divide, particularly in the South. He tells his story about opening a restaurant in a historical bus station. When he decided to open his business, he notices that the city is still segregated and questions the reasons. With an open heart, he decides that he wants his business partner to be a black female. The story continues from there, showing what may be learned when one steps out of his comfort zone and questions how others view the world. Book received through goodreads
February 1, 2021
Business partners Mashama Bailey and John O. Morisano look back on their journey to create The Grey, a successful southern restaurant in the heart of Savannah, Georgia with this dual memoir.
Johno walks us through his initial discovery of a dilapidated Greyhound bus station, his idea to start a restaurant, and his search for the right business partner/executive chef. Together they share their candid thoughts on each other, aspects of both their business and personal relationship, the awkward and sometimes painful biases that challenge them to communicate better, their vision for The Grey, and how they are working to advance equality. I also like that each chapter ended with a recipe (several of which I plan to try!)
I really enjoyed the format of this memoir; it reads as a conversation between the authors (Bailey’s words are in bold throughout to easily differentiate) and it’s insightful, honest, and surprisingly vulnerable. Both Bailey and Morisano discuss their experiences and the complications of an interracial friendship/partnership, never dancing around the fact that it takes effort and willingness to understand and express on both parts.
I highly recommend Black, White, and The Grey to readers who appreciate memoir, food writing, and honest conversations about race, gender, and culture.
Special thanks to Grovetown Library for purchasing a copy for their collection at my request.
For more reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com
Johno walks us through his initial discovery of a dilapidated Greyhound bus station, his idea to start a restaurant, and his search for the right business partner/executive chef. Together they share their candid thoughts on each other, aspects of both their business and personal relationship, the awkward and sometimes painful biases that challenge them to communicate better, their vision for The Grey, and how they are working to advance equality. I also like that each chapter ended with a recipe (several of which I plan to try!)
I really enjoyed the format of this memoir; it reads as a conversation between the authors (Bailey’s words are in bold throughout to easily differentiate) and it’s insightful, honest, and surprisingly vulnerable. Both Bailey and Morisano discuss their experiences and the complications of an interracial friendship/partnership, never dancing around the fact that it takes effort and willingness to understand and express on both parts.
I highly recommend Black, White, and The Grey to readers who appreciate memoir, food writing, and honest conversations about race, gender, and culture.
Special thanks to Grovetown Library for purchasing a copy for their collection at my request.
For more reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com
March 31, 2021
Mashama Bailey is all you need. She gets 5 stars.
But this is a 'co-authored' book--I say co-authored in quotes because even after re-fashioning, it still reads to me as a book by the investor with some responses from the chef. I wanted the bulk of the writing to have more pizazz and culling, and the 'Friendship' in the title--that didn't really come across in the writing to me.
I don't like to give one-star reviews, but this book offered me nothing I hadn't already gleaned from a few articles and interviews. I was hoping to hear about some of the investor's learnings and humbling of the person in privilege. Instead, it read to me like, once again, the Black woman was put in a position of having to explain things about racism.
But this is a 'co-authored' book--I say co-authored in quotes because even after re-fashioning, it still reads to me as a book by the investor with some responses from the chef. I wanted the bulk of the writing to have more pizazz and culling, and the 'Friendship' in the title--that didn't really come across in the writing to me.
I don't like to give one-star reviews, but this book offered me nothing I hadn't already gleaned from a few articles and interviews. I was hoping to hear about some of the investor's learnings and humbling of the person in privilege. Instead, it read to me like, once again, the Black woman was put in a position of having to explain things about racism.
October 13, 2021
The Grey is a restaurant in Savannah, GA that is built in an old Greyhound bus terminal - hence the name, The Grey. John Morisano purchased the building and had the idea to make it into a restaurant. He partnered with Mashama Bailey as the executive chef. Together they created this restaurant and along the way became more than business partners, but true friends. This book is the story of how the restaurant came to be and how their relationship developed. In the description of the book it says this is "...a story about the trials and triumphs of two individuals with seemingly little in common - a Black chef from Queens and a White media entrepreneur from Staten Island - who partnered up, relocated to the South, and built a relationship and a restaurant that they hoped would get people talking about race, gender, class, and culture." The premise sounded really interesting to me even though I wasn't familiar with The Grey before. But, I have to say it fell flat for me. Everything felt forced - the book, the restaurant, how insistent John was that since he was white man he needed a black woman chef, etc. I do believe their friendship is genuine, but it really seemed odd how things came together and how fixated he was on certain things. I also felt like the way the book was written was distracting. John and Mashama go back and forth writing a sentence or a few paragraphs about the same event from each perspective. I would have rather had one chapter half by John and half by Mashama or one whole chapter from each of them. And sometimes one is telling a story and the other goes off on a tangent that doesn't really fit. I didn't like the way it was written at all. And my final complaint is that the first chapter starts off with a car accident on the night of the 4th of July, then you don't get the rest of that story until the last chapter. It was just a really weird way to structure the book. I will say the restaurant sounds really interesting and unique, so if I'm ever in Savannah again I'd like to check it out. But, I wouldn't recommend this book.
March 10, 2021
Good book about the process of starting a restaurant with the subtopic (or perhaps main topic) of racism in America and particularly in Savannah and the “new South”. Great recipes at the end of every chapter (made the chicken wings - delish!). Originally meant to be the memoir of restaurant The Grey owner John Morisano (“Johnno”) After a suggestion from his editor and friends - was in later drafts including commentary by head chef and business partner Mashama Bailey (now superstar). Which just about makes this book. John Morisano comes off as not a little douche-y arrogance and Mashama reels him in and brings this memoir back to earth. How a white Italian guy from Staten Island teams up with a black woman chef from Queens to buy and restore a former segregated bus terminal in the south and Savannah and turn it into a wildly popular and even breakthrough landmark restaurant -The Grey. As the authors note - Mashama got to be the head chef of an establishment she would not have been able to walk in the front door 50 years before. That is remarkable. Lost a few stars from John Morisano’s lackluster at times narrative as stirring as the story is. Mashama Bailey is everything.
April 6, 2022
In the prologue, Mashama explains how John O. initially wrote the book, and she added her parts later, commenting on what he wrote. That is exactly how this reads: as John O.'s book with Mashama's comments, which makes it slightly awkward and odd. Because it wasn't a collaboration, it very much feels like John O.'s story, with Mashama's criticisms and differing perspectives, which often contradicts what John O.'s initial experience was. While I was interested in what both had to say regarding their experience of opening this restaurant, the finished product was a bit of a let down.
April 2, 2021
Staten Island born John O. Morisano (better known as Johno to his family and friends) worked his way from working class to fairly well off. His work was not related to restaurants, yet he winds up buying an old Greyhound bus station in Savannah, GA and dreams of turning it into a restaurant. He ends up partnering with chef Mashama Bailey, who was also living in NYC at the time. This book is written by both Johno and Mashama in a kind of alternating dialog. We hear about how Johno went about searching for the right chef to partner with, how Johno and Mashama met and how they went about creating the restaurant The Grey.
This was an interesting book that not only was about food but also touched on race in America. There is a lot of discussion about how while Savannah is a diverse city, people of different races there are pretty segregated with where they live and work. Johno and Mashama hoped to make The Grey a place where all races would feel welcome. I found it interesting seeing the dynamic between these two writers. Each chapter ended with a recipe from Johno or Mashama.
I recommend this to fans of food writing with a side of social commentary.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy.
This was an interesting book that not only was about food but also touched on race in America. There is a lot of discussion about how while Savannah is a diverse city, people of different races there are pretty segregated with where they live and work. Johno and Mashama hoped to make The Grey a place where all races would feel welcome. I found it interesting seeing the dynamic between these two writers. Each chapter ended with a recipe from Johno or Mashama.
I recommend this to fans of food writing with a side of social commentary.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy.
December 2, 2021
So many things I loved in this book. Since the first time I heard Johno and Mashama speak about inclusivity and community on a webinar for @Oystersouth this Spring, I knew I needed to read this book. Coming from years in the restaurant industry so much of their journey resonated, but when I woke up this morning there was a line that still stuck.
“If personal space was your drug, you could overdose easily on it during the pandemic.”
This is an important work that explores class, race, gender disparity, and the systemic issues in hospitality. Read it for that. But it also explores how social distance and lockdown has changed not just the restaurant industry, but all of us as humans. For that it is an even more important read.
“If personal space was your drug, you could overdose easily on it during the pandemic.”
This is an important work that explores class, race, gender disparity, and the systemic issues in hospitality. Read it for that. But it also explores how social distance and lockdown has changed not just the restaurant industry, but all of us as humans. For that it is an even more important read.
June 11, 2023
3.75 ⭐ an interesting and important story to tell, but I wasn't invested in the story as much as I was expecting. Chapter 10 is where things really started to pique my interest. I think some editing in terms of how the timeline was presented could have brought this up to four stars. Overall a good read, and I liked the inclusion of the recipes at the end of each chapter. I'd love to visit The Grey in the future!
February 23, 2024
This book has gotten some hate for how it is narrated back and forth by the two authors, but I LOVE it. The style provides so much more depth to the story of the Grey and so much more insight into the systems and cycles of oppression in the US that make such an endeavor so rare. 10/10 would recommend.
April 19, 2023
A very interesting story of the creation of The Grey, a restaurant in Savannah, Georgia. Each chapter ends with a recipe from the restaurant. An excellent book for a book club.
August 22, 2022
I had this book on my TBR list for a few months and started reading the week after Mashama won her James Beard Best Chef Award (Congrats). I found this book to be both challenging and compelling. I appreciated the two voices being in different fonts and loved the juxtiposition of the two viewpoints. In today's environment, this is an important book to learn about business, partnerships, race relations, relationships in general, perseverance and family. I would love to be part of their circle. Wine and food are part of my love language! I copied some of the recipes that called my name!
I lived in Savannah as a child and know where The Grey is located. On my bucket list for sure! I truly adored this book.
I lived in Savannah as a child and know where The Grey is located. On my bucket list for sure! I truly adored this book.
February 10, 2021
4.25
Johno Morisano bought the old Greyhound bus station in Savannah, Georgia and, with no experience in the hospitality industry, decided he needed to make it into a restaurant. When it was time to find a chef, he felt they were all the same - white men with cutlery tattoos - but he wanted something different for this restaurant. He decided a black female chef was called for and hunted until he found Mashama Bailey. The pair have had their trials and tribulations but have forged a strong partnership and friendship along the way all the while addressing their feelings on race and culture.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and admired Morisano and Bailey’s honesty. I loved reading about the restaurant and the way their relationship evolved. As a bonus, there are several recipes included in the book. The authors narrate the audio version and both do a great job. If you enjoy foodie books or memoirs, you’ll want to pick this one up.
Johno Morisano bought the old Greyhound bus station in Savannah, Georgia and, with no experience in the hospitality industry, decided he needed to make it into a restaurant. When it was time to find a chef, he felt they were all the same - white men with cutlery tattoos - but he wanted something different for this restaurant. He decided a black female chef was called for and hunted until he found Mashama Bailey. The pair have had their trials and tribulations but have forged a strong partnership and friendship along the way all the while addressing their feelings on race and culture.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and admired Morisano and Bailey’s honesty. I loved reading about the restaurant and the way their relationship evolved. As a bonus, there are several recipes included in the book. The authors narrate the audio version and both do a great job. If you enjoy foodie books or memoirs, you’ll want to pick this one up.
February 5, 2021
3.5 but rounding up
November 17, 2021
So thankful to grab this book, read about an awesome duo and their journey. #cheerstoscott
May 28, 2023
I love non-fiction, so I was happy when my book club voted to make this our next selection. It's about a rich white man who purchases an old dilapidated Greyhound bus station in Savannah, Georgia, decides to turn it into a restaurant, which he knows nothing about, and decides to hire a Black woman chef to run it. What could go wrong?
The book is authored jointly by Johno (the rich White man), and Mashama (the Black woman chef). They each tell their background in their own voice, how they met, and what their individual goals were. As the story unfolds, we learn of the many difficulties they faced, and their approaches to resolving them. These included Mashama finding her restaurant and Johno finding his chef, the design and build-out of the building, learning the local food and sources, planning their menu, and racism and violence in Savannah. We learn what each thought was driving the other's behavior, and then what the other was actually going through when their voice chimes in.
Any of these challenges could have broken the business relationship for most people, but Mashama and Johno succeeded in building a world-class restaurant, The Grey, as well as a lasting trust and friendship in the process.
I recommend this book for anyone who likes true stories of real people building relationships and creating something beautiful together.
The book is authored jointly by Johno (the rich White man), and Mashama (the Black woman chef). They each tell their background in their own voice, how they met, and what their individual goals were. As the story unfolds, we learn of the many difficulties they faced, and their approaches to resolving them. These included Mashama finding her restaurant and Johno finding his chef, the design and build-out of the building, learning the local food and sources, planning their menu, and racism and violence in Savannah. We learn what each thought was driving the other's behavior, and then what the other was actually going through when their voice chimes in.
Any of these challenges could have broken the business relationship for most people, but Mashama and Johno succeeded in building a world-class restaurant, The Grey, as well as a lasting trust and friendship in the process.
I recommend this book for anyone who likes true stories of real people building relationships and creating something beautiful together.
January 19, 2022
This was such an enjoyable read! I half read/ half listened to an audiobook. Their voices were engaging, and even though there were moments of awkwardness, it was endearing and I felt that I made two new friends. I felt the loss of their friend from the start of the book, and when it came back around to that night, it was even more heart wrenching.
The journey of this friendship, partnership, and restaurant was honest, but remained poetic.
The Grey being between black and white, between neighborhoods, and a former place of meetings/departures seems almost too perfect to be true.
There were moments in the progression of their understanding of each other that were so timely. For example, the way that Johno hesitated on the artwork, but wanted to insist on restoring the old signage in The Grey. It demonstrated his place in the journey of racial reconciliation through his focus on facing the past and reckoning with it—but worry about offending people with statements of progression that could be seen as radical. The way he authentically shared this and learned through Mashama’s opposite reactions—with her instantly being drawn to Marcus Kenney’s piece on progress, but speaking up about how the old signage could make people (rightfully) uncomfortable in the dining room—highlighted his fixation on confronting the past without dealing with race as it was in his life in the present. Mashama hadn’t had that choice.
These conversations and more made this book an experience that I am grateful for. We are traveling to visit Savannah in February and have reservations at The Grey. I can’t wait!
The journey of this friendship, partnership, and restaurant was honest, but remained poetic.
The Grey being between black and white, between neighborhoods, and a former place of meetings/departures seems almost too perfect to be true.
There were moments in the progression of their understanding of each other that were so timely. For example, the way that Johno hesitated on the artwork, but wanted to insist on restoring the old signage in The Grey. It demonstrated his place in the journey of racial reconciliation through his focus on facing the past and reckoning with it—but worry about offending people with statements of progression that could be seen as radical. The way he authentically shared this and learned through Mashama’s opposite reactions—with her instantly being drawn to Marcus Kenney’s piece on progress, but speaking up about how the old signage could make people (rightfully) uncomfortable in the dining room—highlighted his fixation on confronting the past without dealing with race as it was in his life in the present. Mashama hadn’t had that choice.
These conversations and more made this book an experience that I am grateful for. We are traveling to visit Savannah in February and have reservations at The Grey. I can’t wait!
February 8, 2021
Timely and inspiring story of two people, one a white man, the other a black woman and the business they built together and the enduring friendship they developed in the the process. It is the story of Savannah’s highly regarded restaurant, The Grey, and the vision of the two people who created it. Most of the story is related by Johno. He was the first to move to Savannah and he found the old segregation era Greyhound terminal abandoned since 1964. The book alternates between the two voices of Johno and Mashama, with Mashama’s highlighted in bold print. There are recipes too, one at the end of each chapter.
I thought this was a great book. It tells of all the work and setbacks that go into starting and running a business. More importantly though it tells the story of Johno and Mashama; their backgrounds, their difficulties in forging a partnership, how they became the best of friends, how they built trust. It’s a remarkable and heartening story. It has been awhile since I’ve been to Savannah, next time I’m there I’m definitely going to The Grey.
I thought this was a great book. It tells of all the work and setbacks that go into starting and running a business. More importantly though it tells the story of Johno and Mashama; their backgrounds, their difficulties in forging a partnership, how they became the best of friends, how they built trust. It’s a remarkable and heartening story. It has been awhile since I’ve been to Savannah, next time I’m there I’m definitely going to The Grey.
June 20, 2021
A 5⭐️ read for me.
Black, White, and The Grey reads like a love letter to one place I call home (Savannah), written by two people who chose to move there later in life to open a restaurant.
Their story is one of a friendship that pushes them to be better, both professionally and personally. It is one of hope for a better future for their community. And all of it is wrapped up in food and how it brings people together. The authors cover the topics of race, class, and gender and how those have impacted their relationship and the process of building The Grey. Because of the topics they tackle, it can be a challenging read, but their back-and-forth writing format makes it inviting.
Despite the rough-around-the-edges quality of this book (it reads like I imagine they talk—lots of colorful language 🙃), it is beautiful. I’m so glad I read it.
My only critique is that I would have loved to hear more from Mashama. It is mentioned in the beginning of the book that they worked hard to have her voice come across more, but I think Johno still took up more space in the book itself.
Black, White, and The Grey reads like a love letter to one place I call home (Savannah), written by two people who chose to move there later in life to open a restaurant.
Their story is one of a friendship that pushes them to be better, both professionally and personally. It is one of hope for a better future for their community. And all of it is wrapped up in food and how it brings people together. The authors cover the topics of race, class, and gender and how those have impacted their relationship and the process of building The Grey. Because of the topics they tackle, it can be a challenging read, but their back-and-forth writing format makes it inviting.
Despite the rough-around-the-edges quality of this book (it reads like I imagine they talk—lots of colorful language 🙃), it is beautiful. I’m so glad I read it.
My only critique is that I would have loved to hear more from Mashama. It is mentioned in the beginning of the book that they worked hard to have her voice come across more, but I think Johno still took up more space in the book itself.
February 26, 2021
Powerful. When we talk about equity and race in this nation there’s no clearer example of the mistrust, bias and the work that needs to be done than the examples laid out in this book.
That a Black female chef from NYC could cook and head up a kitchen in a historical space where (in the 60s) she would have been made to enter through the side door highlights the many of challenges stacked in this book.
There is some tragedy, as well as frank discussions of race, bias and how neighborhoods—specifically Black ones—are segregated even to this day. Among the many pluses of this book you’ll find great kitchen stories, RECIPES! and the story of how two people who couldn’t be any more different came together and became friends. Highly recommend!
That a Black female chef from NYC could cook and head up a kitchen in a historical space where (in the 60s) she would have been made to enter through the side door highlights the many of challenges stacked in this book.
There is some tragedy, as well as frank discussions of race, bias and how neighborhoods—specifically Black ones—are segregated even to this day. Among the many pluses of this book you’ll find great kitchen stories, RECIPES! and the story of how two people who couldn’t be any more different came together and became friends. Highly recommend!
January 7, 2022
A tremendous book that is just as much about food and opening a restaurant as it is partnerships and race.
I loved so many things about the book, including the format in which the book is constructed. Both Mashama and "Johno"'s words fill each chapter and recipe, using different text styling as a visual cue to determine who is writing. Johno is a bit more verbose; Mashama's writing is richly human and concise.
The context and backdrop of Savannah was illuminating: I learned a lot about a city I am unfamiliar with.
This book is often uncomfortably honest (likely my own experience as a cisgender white man, and seeing my own inherited biases played out via Johno) but full of care and love.
I feel deeply invested in The Grey, in Johno, and in Mashama after reading this book. I would recommend to anyone with an interest in food, restaurants, business, race, partnerships, Savannah, the South, history, etc.....
I loved so many things about the book, including the format in which the book is constructed. Both Mashama and "Johno"'s words fill each chapter and recipe, using different text styling as a visual cue to determine who is writing. Johno is a bit more verbose; Mashama's writing is richly human and concise.
The context and backdrop of Savannah was illuminating: I learned a lot about a city I am unfamiliar with.
This book is often uncomfortably honest (likely my own experience as a cisgender white man, and seeing my own inherited biases played out via Johno) but full of care and love.
I feel deeply invested in The Grey, in Johno, and in Mashama after reading this book. I would recommend to anyone with an interest in food, restaurants, business, race, partnerships, Savannah, the South, history, etc.....
January 27, 2021
Black, White, and the Grey by Mashama Bailey & John O. Morisano is a free NetGalley ebook that I read in late January.
Each restaurateur finding worth in themselves and what they cook, and each contributing their work to combine within their Savannah restaurant, The Grey, and this well-thought-over, strong, nearly-dialogue book. It's chapters of moments that Mashama and John share, followed by a simple recipe, and it's so easy to like, so easy to see yourself within the story, and to empathize.
Each restaurateur finding worth in themselves and what they cook, and each contributing their work to combine within their Savannah restaurant, The Grey, and this well-thought-over, strong, nearly-dialogue book. It's chapters of moments that Mashama and John share, followed by a simple recipe, and it's so easy to like, so easy to see yourself within the story, and to empathize.
March 24, 2021
I received an advanced copy of this book through Goodreads Giveaways.
I first became aware of Mashama Bailey and The Grey through an episode of Chef's Table. I was very interested in her approach to cooking and the history of The Grey, and knew I wanted to read this book when I saw it available as a giveaway.
This could have easily been another light book about starting a restaurant and the difficulties that any new restaurant owners face. But Bailey and John Morisano directly confront race - as a black woman and white man, the history of the restaurant's building, and their roles in the restaurant industry. Morisano takes the lead through much of the book, but Bailey provides much-needed perspective.
At the end of each chapter is a recipe, often directly mentioned in the chapter. I made the Chicken Schnitzel with White BBQ Sauce, a recipe Bailey auditioned with. I would rate it a 4.5/5 - the chicken schnitzel was fantastic and pretty easy to prepare, the white BBQ sauce was good but not my personal preference. I think the richness of the chicken could have benefited from a little more acid or heat - next time I would pair with a hot sauce.
I first became aware of Mashama Bailey and The Grey through an episode of Chef's Table. I was very interested in her approach to cooking and the history of The Grey, and knew I wanted to read this book when I saw it available as a giveaway.
This could have easily been another light book about starting a restaurant and the difficulties that any new restaurant owners face. But Bailey and John Morisano directly confront race - as a black woman and white man, the history of the restaurant's building, and their roles in the restaurant industry. Morisano takes the lead through much of the book, but Bailey provides much-needed perspective.
At the end of each chapter is a recipe, often directly mentioned in the chapter. I made the Chicken Schnitzel with White BBQ Sauce, a recipe Bailey auditioned with. I would rate it a 4.5/5 - the chicken schnitzel was fantastic and pretty easy to prepare, the white BBQ sauce was good but not my personal preference. I think the richness of the chicken could have benefited from a little more acid or heat - next time I would pair with a hot sauce.
June 30, 2023
Despite their urging in the prologue that this book morphed from John O’s story into his and Mashama’s story equally, this still very much felt like his story with the occasional correction and commentary from Mashama. Because of this, their friendship and collaboration didn’t really come through. Also strange to me that they went to Paris to write a book about the impact of race and gender on starting a business in the American South?
December 29, 2021
This book not only describes the complexity of opening a restaurant, but also the complexity of forming a partnership, a friendship, and eventually a family. The Grey can stand in as a metaphor for any organization looking to be a change agent in these deeply divisive times. Well written with emotion and heart.
April 2, 2022
I looked at this book as two separate parts: the opening of a restaurant with all its challenges and the relationship between a white man and his partner, a black woman. I found the former somewhat tedious and the latter fascinating. Once again I was reminded that, no matter my intentions or empathy, I will never fully know what it's like to be black.
July 30, 2022
I’m such a fan of Mashama and John O and this book and their narration only made me respect them even more. What an amazing story of success, personal growth and understanding of our own personal biases. Plus I want to cook every single recipe!! Their narration is so personal and just a perfect accompaniment. ❤️
September 2, 2024
I found the interwoven double author style of this book very off putting at first, like a wife at a dinner party who keeps interrupting her husband’s story to tell everyone how things really were! I eventually got past that to appreciate the deep and rich content contained in Mashama and Johno’s story of starting The Grey together. This is not a book full of action, rather a book full of introspective reflection, so slow down, settle in, and ruminate on all this book has to say. Of course, now I want to make a return visit to Savannah and experience The Grey in person, and you probably will want to also!
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