Where to start withFrom Scratch
2 versions · originally a book
Themes: Cultural assimilation, Intergenerational healing, Food as comfort, Widowhood, Biographical memoir.
Start with From Scratch (Tembi Locke) — the book. From Scratch exists in 2 versions across media; each is ranked below by what it does best.
From Scratch explores how the universal language of food and family bridges cultural divides following profound personal loss.
✦ Most fans start here
From Scratch

The original novel
✦ Start hereFrom Scratch
Tembi Locke · Book
The original 2019 book offers an intimate, memoir-style perspective on grief, providing deep insight into the author’s personal healing process and her transformative connection to Sicilian culinary traditions and heritage.

2022 series
From Scratch
Attica Locke · Series · 2022
The 2022 TV series expands the narrative scope, utilizing visual storytelling to vividly capture the romantic landscapes of Italy and the complex, cross-cultural emotional dynamics of the characters' shared journey.
Common questions
Is From Scratch based on a true story?
Yes, From Scratch is a memoir written by Tembi Locke. It chronicles her real-life journey of love, loss, and resilience after meeting and marrying a chef in Italy and eventually facing the challenges of his illness.
Should I read the From Scratch book before watching the 2022 TV series?
You can enjoy both in any order. The 2022 TV series is an adaptation of the From Scratch memoir. While the show captures the emotional core of the book, reading the original text provides deeper insight into the author's personal perspective.
How long is the From Scratch TV series?
The 2022 TV adaptation of From Scratch consists of eight episodes. Each episode follows the narrative arc established in the book, covering the protagonist's life in Italy and her return to the United States.
What is the difference between the From Scratch book and the TV show?
The From Scratch book is a memoir written from the author's direct perspective. The 2022 TV series adapts these events into a dramatized narrative format, expanding on the story while maintaining the central themes found in the original source material.