BuffaloRising.com’s Foodie Book Club seems to be a hit! Our Winter ‘08 selection, Heat by Bill Buford, spawned a super fun party at DiGiulio and Company with prizes donated by BR and the Village Beer Merchant. Thanks to the many readers/ticket-winners who braved the evening’s fierce ice storm to join us for food, drinks and games (see inset).
Next on the roster is The United States of Arugula by David Kamp. This book examines the evolution of the American pantry over the course of the last sixty years or so. It is a gossipy and informative read, providing insight into the places, situations and people that have been integral to the development of America’s current food culture. How did the generation of our grandmothers, with a routine of canning and preserving fresh produce, followed by that of our mothers’ and their penchant for frozen, boxed dinners, lead us to our current eating habits?
We are a culture in which choices as diverse as fast food, sushi, and heirloom tomatoes all have a place in the common man’s diet.
Kamp addresses these issues while taking us through the contributions (and kitchens) of America’s most influential foodies and chefs. The cover of the paperback depicts many of the well known chefs featured in the book, such as Julia Child, James Beard, Craig Claiborne, Pierre Franey, Mario Batali, Alice Waters, Ruth Reichl, Bobby Flay, Emeril Lagasse, Daniel Boulud, Rachel Ray, Jacques Pepin, Thomas Keller and Wolfgang Puck.
The United States of Arugula is available in paperback at either of Talking Leaves’ city locations. Pick up a copy and join YUM for BR’s Foodie Book Club Spring Read. We’ll have another fun Foodie Book Club get-together in June; stay tuned to YUM for updates.
Talking Leaves
3158 Main Street, Buffalo, 14214
716.837.8554
951 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, 14222
716.884.9524