Error loading page.
Try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, there may be a network issue, and you can use our self test page to see what's preventing the page from loading.
Learn more about possible network issues or contact support for more help.

Smithsonian American Table

The Foods, People, and Innovations That Feed Us

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

In collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, a sweeping history of food and culture that summons everyone to the table for a fresh look at the people, ingredients, events, and movements that have shaped how and what we eat in the United States

This exploration of the American table presents a fresh look at what and how we've fed ourselves, for sustenance and for pleasure, through the lens of location, immigration, ingenuity, innovation, and culture. Learn about Native Americans growers and chefs who are reclaiming and reinventing Indigenous ingredients and cooking techniques. Meet a Black chef who gained national renown and culinary influence by showcasing her skills on her own television show in segregated New Orleans. And find out how everything from fondue to Jell-O salads to pumpkin spice (even in hummus) became national obsessions.

Cook your way through American history with over 40 iconic and notable recipes offered throughout the book. With chapters spanning coast to coast and stretching over centuries, this enlightening enriching, and entertaining collection uncovers the many histories of American food.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

  • Formats

  • Languages

  • Reviews

    • Library Journal

      Starred review from December 16, 2022

      Created through the work of the American Food History Project at the National Museum of American History, the Smithsonian delivers "history by the forkful" in this addictive read. To start, readers delve into the history of the nation's food identities through an examination of the culinary traditions and contributions of Indigenous peoples and enslaved Black cooks and the influences of the many waves of immigrations to and across the United States. Readers are then presented with a state-by-state journey across the country, learning about famous regional dishes such as Illinois' Italian beef and Alabama's lane cake. This trip is enhanced with fact bubbles and primary sources, bold food photography, and recipes sprinkled throughout. Additional chapters featuring food fads add nostalgia and humor while the chapter on personalities who shaped our cuisine is filled with unexpected facts. While this title will help with the occasional reference question, it will become a favorite among history buffs and foodies alike as they ramble through all the places, events, trends, and contributors that made up the nation's foodways. VERDICT Suffused with facts, fun, and recipes, food and history enthusiasts will love this book.--Sarah Tansley

      Copyright 2022 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

    • Booklist

      Starred review from January 1, 2023
      Fulfilling its mission to collect and preserve all things American, the Smithsonian Institution has amassed a trove of culinary objects from across the continent, such as Julia Child's kitchen, in the National Museum of American History. In this new book, Smithsonian writers and researchers present a grand survey of American cuisine commencing with the earliest Americans, describing how climate and geography shaped the eating habits of Indigenous people from Alaska to Florida. The authors tackle the difficult task of finding one defining dish from each of the 50 states and also showcase the broad swath of comestibles brought to the U.S. by immigrants from Europe, Africa, and Asia. Foods like sushi, Oreos, and yogurt reflect fads and the yearning for novelty. The innovation of mass production fed the nation's servicepeople. Snacks and fast foods that now dominate much of the American diet earn careful coverage. Generally easy-to-follow recipes appear for many of the dishes inventoried, and profiles of such ""food people"" as George Washington Carver, James Beard, Leah Chase, Joyce Chen, the Harvey girls, and Jos� Andr�s offer glimpses of influential personalities past and present. Cultural historians and foodies will learn from and enjoy this comprehensive and colorful book.

      COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Formats

  • Kindle Book
  • OverDrive Read
  • EPUB ebook

Languages

  • English

Loading