Newly Discovered Colonel Sanders Autobiography & Recipe Book Launched Exclusively on Facebook®

The original manuscript, written by the Colonel himself in 1966 and discovered by accident more than 40 years later, is being launched exclusively on Facebook.

May 29, 2012 - 10:49
Beginning today, fans of KFC’s Facebook® Pages around the world can access exclusive content from the soon-to-be-released book, “Colonel Harland Sanders: The Autobiography of the Original Celebrity Chef.” The original manuscript, written by the Colonel himself in 1966 and discovered by accident more than 40 years later, is being launched exclusively on Facebook. The entire book can be downloaded for free at facebook.com/kfc beginning Monday, June 4. It is not available in book stores or via online book sellers.


“The only thing keeping this book from being a best-seller is that we’re not selling them”


“What’s most amazing about the book is that while it was written nearly a half-century ago, both the insightful life lessons and the delicious recipes remain relevant today,” said Jason Marker, Chief Marketing Officer for KFC in the United States. “Because of that, our goal is to share the autobiography with as many people as possible, free of charge. We couldn’t think of a better way to do that than via Facebook.”

Free content available beginning today includes: a foreword written by KFC’s first franchisee Pete Harman, an introduction written by Colonel Sanders, and the first chapter. Also available are two recipes selected from among the 33 never-before-seen recipes featured in the book: potato pancakes and upside-down peach cobbler.

Also featured on the KFC Facebook Page today are two videos from celebrity chef Edward Lee, who provides a modern twist on the Colonel’s recipes. Chef Lee, a Brooklyn native and executive chef/partner at Louisville’s famous 610 Magnolia restaurant who grew up eating KFC, won the Iron Chef America competition in November, 2010, and finished in the top five of Top Chef Texas Season 9 earlier this year. He was a finalist for The Best Chef Award Southeast from the prestigious James Beard Foundation in both 2011 and 2012.

“‘The Autobiography of the Original Celebrity Chef’ truly is an inspiring story of passion and determination,” Lee said. “I’m thrilled that KFC’s Facebook fans are going to be able to download it free of charge. I think it will move people to be the best they can be. And of course, the recipes are amazing!”

The autobiography provides an authentic look into the life of one of the world's legendary entrepreneurs and is centered on his passion for food, hard work and the importance of home-style country cooking.

“The only thing keeping this book from being a best-seller is that we’re not selling them,” Marker said of the free download.

Full Autobiography and Recipe Book Available June 4

In November, 2011, KFC announced that the manuscript had been discovered in the company’s archives and it quickly made worldwide news. The world was fascinated by the idea that the man who perfected one of the world’s most famous recipes had also penned a book featuring his life story and some of his favorite recipes.

The book contains 33 never-before-published recipes, dozens of rare historic photos and countless amazing stories told firsthand by the man who lived those stories. Beginning Monday, June 4, the entire book can be downloaded free of charge, but only via KFC’s Facebook Page.

In addition to the downloadable book, a very small number of hardcover copies are also being printed. While none of these beautiful and rare hardcover books are being sold, 11 of them will be awarded to KFC Facebook fans. Those interested in a chance at receiving a copy of this historic and collectible book should watch the KFC Facebook Page for more details.