If you have a foodie in your family and need a last-minute gift for them, here is a list of the 10 Best Non-Cookbook Food Books of 2012, as compiled by Leah Douglas of
SeriousEats.com.
The American Way of Eating, by Tracie McMillan
Journalist Tracie McMillan went undercover as a vegetable picker, Walmart
employee, and Applebee's worker. She shares the struggle and discrimination
faced every day by workers in difficult service jobs. Her experiences are
rigorously recollected, and her writing keeps you turning the page with avid,
and sometimes morbid, curiosity. Highly recommended for readers interested in
the behind-the-scenes of our food system.
Change Comes to Dinner, by Katherine Gustafson
This book highlights food programs across the country that are working to change
our industrial food system. Whether by gardening in the inner-city or by growing
heirloom beans, the change-makers that Gustafson highlights are making the food
scene more delicious. Definitely a pick-me-up!
French Kids Eat Everything, by Karen Le Billon
Le Billon tells the story of how moving her family to France, and adopting
French eating and cooking habits, cured her children of picky eating and made
their diets much more healthful. She provides lots of quick tips for parents
struggling to introduce veggies or dissuade pickiness. A great book if you're an
aspiring or new parent looking for advice, or if you're a seasoned vet
interested in comparing your methods to the French.
The Good Food Revolution, by Will Allen
Will Allen is a well-known farmer and activist based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
His greenhouses employ dozens of inner-city youths from Milwaukee, and his
trainings draw farmers and allies from across the country. In this book, he
tells his compelling story—from growing up on a farm to playing professional
basketball, and how he found his life's calling in an abandoned flower shop in
the middle of a struggling city. His is an inspiring and joyful story.
Greenhorns, edited by Paula Manalo, Severine von Tscharner Flemming, and Zoe Ida Bradbury
Greenhorns tells the stories of many young and beginning farmers from across the
U.S. The book is a series of essays, which tell stories of success, dreams,
love, and failure on the farm. Many of the essays are beautifully written and
all are inspiring.
My Berlin Kitchen, by Lusia Weiss
Weiss is author of the popular blog The Wednesday Chef. In her memoir, she
chronicles a young adulthood spent feeling rootless and unsettled. Half-Italian
but raised in Berlin, the kitchen was the only place she felt comfortable
combining her various heritages. Laced with recipes and a happy love story, this
book is an easy read for snuggling by the fire.
Uncorked, by Marco Pasanella
In this book, Pasanella shares his experiences opening and running a successful
wine shop in New York City. Pasanella is a great writer, and he provides a
different perspective on the restaurant industry than many chef memoirs do. He
shows us the nitty gritty of running a small business and the unique challenges
and joys of being a wine purveyor. Great for wine lovers or for budding beverage
entrepreneurs.
Why Calories Count, by Marion Nestle and Maldon Nesheim
Marion Nestle is arguably the country's preeminent nutritionist, often quoted in
news sources around the world and a prolific author on food politics. Her newest
book explores the question of whether caloric intake directly affects weight
gain (her answer, perhaps implied by the title, is yes). This is not just
another diet book, though—Nestle is a scholar, and her material is rigorously
researched and thoroughly convincing. A great read for any food policy or
nutrition dorks out there.
Yes, Chef, by Marcus Samuelsson
Full of compelling emotion and laced with humor and humility,
Yes, Chef
tells the story of Marcus Samuelsson, an Ethiopian-born, Swedish-raised,
French-trained chef who has opened two envelope-pushing restaurants in Harlem,
New York. His story is inspiring but human, and will leave the reader longing to eat at one
of his new eateries.
Birdseye, by Mark Kurlansky
Kurlansky has already proven himself to be one of the most rigorous and prolific
food historians of our time with his bestselling books,
Salt,
Cod, and
The Big Oyster. His newest book explores the mind and
successes of Clarence Birdseye, who revolutionized the frozen food industry.
This history is engaging and personal, and celebrates Birdseye's quirky
personality and unique genius. A must-read if frozen mixed vegetables are a
staple in your household.
These reads are all available at
Amazon.com, or your local bookstores!
