It’s getting to be the gift giving season – although there are reasons to give gifts all year aren’t there? But the big buying time is coming and I’d like to offer some books for foodies – books after all make wonderful gifts. This post is brought to you by the Abrams Dinner Party as they have provided me with free copies of the books I am sharing with you today.
If the foodie in your life is anything like me in addition to collecting cookbooks they like to read about food and chefs. I may not be the most religious follower of recipes but I love reading cookbooks and learning from the experience of others. That is why books for foodies are so much fun to me. Do you know anyone like that? Then these are perfect for them.
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Gift Ideas for Foodies – Books
American Food by Rachel Wharton and Kimberly Ellen Hall (read my review)
- A clever and whimsical illustrated history of 26 iconic American foods, from Ambrosia to Zucchini Bread This captivating and surprising tour of America’s culinary canon celebrates the variety, charm, and occasionally dubious lore of the foods we love to eat, as well as the under-sung heroes who made them. Every chapter, organized from A to Z, delves into the history of a classic dish or ingredient, most so common we take them for granted. These distinctly American foods, from Blueberries and Fortune Cookies to Pepperoni, Hot Wings, Shrimp and Grits, Queso, and yes, even Xanthan Gum, have rich and complex back stories that are often hidden in plain sight, lost to urban myth and misinformation. American Food: A Not-So-Serious History digs deep to tell the compelling tales of some of our most ordinary foods and what they say about who we are—and who, perhaps, we are becoming.
The Cider Revival by Jason Wilson
- Cider is having a major moment, and The Cider Revival charts its history, resurgence, and a year with the vanguard makers of heritage cider Cider is the quintessential American beverage. Drank by early settlers and founding fathers, it was ubiquitous and pervasive, but following Prohibition when orchards were destroyed and neglected, cider all but disappeared. In The Cider Revival, Jason Wilson chronicles what is happening now, an extraordinary rebirth that is less than a decade old.Following the seasons through the autumn harvest, winter fermentation, spring bottling, and summer festival and orchard work, Wilson travels around New York and New England, with forays to the Midwest, the West Coast, and Europe. He meets the new heroes of cider: orchardists who are rediscovering long lost apple varieties, cider makers who have the attention to craftsmanship of natural wine makers, and beverage professionals who see cider as poised to explode in popularity. What emerges is a deeply rewarding story, an exploration of cider’s identity and future, and its cultural and environmental significance. A blend of history and travelogue, The Cider Revival is a toast to a complex drink.
Where I Come From by Aaron Sanchez
- America’s most prominent Latino chef shares the story behind his food, his family, and his professional journey Before Chef Aaron Sanchez rose to fame on shows like MasterChef and Chopped, he was a restless Mexican-American son, raised by a fiercely determined and talented woman who was a successful chef and restaurateur in her own right—she is credited with bringing Mexican cuisine to the New York City dining scene. In many ways, Sanchez, who lost his father at a young age, was destined to follow in his mother Zarela’s footsteps. He spent nights as a child in his family’s dining room surrounded by some of the most influential chefs and restaurateurs in New York. At 16, needing direction, he was sent by his mother to work for renowned chef Paul Prudhomme in New Orleans.In this memoir, Sanchez delves into his formative years with remarkable candor, injecting his story with adrenaline and revealing how he fell in love with cooking and started a career in the fast-paced culinary world. Sanchez shares the invaluable lessons he learned from his upbringing and his training—both inside and outside the kitchen—and offers an intimate look into the chaotic and untraditional life of a professional chef and television personality. This memoir is Sanchez’s highly personal account of a fatherless Latino kid whose talent and passion took him to the top of his profession.
Books for Foodies Make Great Gifts
As I am sure you can tell from reading the synopses above that one or more of these books would make an excellent gift idea for foodies in your life. Each is unique and yet each has a commonality in that food (or drink) is at its heart. Two of them include recipes so that’s a bonus!
