Kowbird

“Matt Horn does in this book what he did so well in Horn Barbecue, his debut book. He treats the reader like a very smart student. He goes over the basics slowly enough so as to educate the uninitiated, but not so slowly as to bore the more experienced reader. He also provides details and insights that he has gained from hours spent practicing his craft. Between these covers, he takes us through many of the chicken’s culinary permutations–fried, jambalayed, Bourbon-glazed, and dumpling’ed. In clear prose he has made these recipes easy to follow, yet full of soul and flavor. I’m confident that if you follow these recipes you’ll have folks lined up, if not down the block as at Kowbird and Matt’s other restaurants, then at least at the stove begging for seconds.” –From the Foreword by Lolis Eric Elie, author of Smokestack Lightning“Matt Horn is an old soul. His flavors match his passion for refined, classic Americana. Eating at one of his restaurants is like listening to Coltrane. It’s a vibe. It grabs you by the heart and won’t let go. If it’s his world-class Horn Barbecue or his insanely delicious Kowbird, it’s always the best thing I’ve ever tasted.” –Tyler Florence, Food Network star and author of Dinner at My Place“I read every page of Kowbird and when I reached the end I thought, ‘I’m finally seeing the proud bird crowned with time-honored recipes, as penned by Chef Matt Horn.’ Kowbird lifts fowl cookery to majestic heights, and it does so in the most noble terms. Chef Horn, you get the Prince family nod, sir!”–Kim Prince, chef/owner of Hotville Chicken, Los Angeles, formerly of Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack, Nas“Matt Horn’s Kowbird masterfully combines innovative and classic chicken recipes, catering to all skill levels with its blend of culinary finesse, practical tips, and captivating narratives. More than just a recipe book, its stunning photography complements an insightful exploration into the culture and history of chicken cooking.”–Alice Waters, chef/owner of Chez Panisse, Berkeley, and author of The Art of Simple Food“Kowbird shows how high Matt Horn’s pedigree and passions as a chef have ascended. Matt is the champion of America’s most sought after center-of-plate protein–chicken. This book honors him in a fun and delicious way, at the same time revealing his love for culture and community.”–Erick Williams, James Beard Award-winning chef/owner of Virtue, Chicago

Matt Horn is the chef and creative force behind Horn Hospitality, whose first two restaurants were Horn Barbecue and chicken-centered Kowbird in Oakland, California, expanding thereafter to include a second outpost of Horn Barbecue in Napa, California, Matty’s Burgers in downtown San Francisco, and a second outpost of Kowbird in Las Vegas. He was honored in 2021 as one of Food & Wine magazine’s ten “Best New Chefs in America.” In addition, Horn Barbecue earned the Michelin “Bib Gourmand” and “New Discovery” designations in 2021. Matt has earned hundreds of accolades from the New York Times, Sunset magazine, Forbes, the San Francisco Chronicle, and other outlets.

His first book, Horn Barbecue, is a finalist for an International Association of Culinary Professional (IACP) Cookbook Award. Matt’s charitable arm, the Horn Initiative, has provided thousands of free meals to needy people in and around Oakland. He lives with his wife, daughter, and son in the San Francisco Bay area.