Sweet Sustenance

A new cookbook asks America’s best chefs what they cook for the people they love.

October 3rd, 2017 by: Misty Milioto

A new cookbook, entitled America the Great Cookbook (Weldon Owen, $40), celebrates the diverse food scene across the country and will be released Oct. 31. The book offers a glimpse into the lives of more than 100 food personalities — including top chefs, artisan producers and fascinating food heroes — plus their stories about food, family and their passion for cooking. Also included is one or more of their personal signature dishes and family favorite recipes. Edited and curated by Joe Yonan, the two time James Beard Award-winning food and dining editor of The Washington Post, the cookbook spans five regions of America: the Midwest; Northeast; Southeast; Southwest; and the West Coast.

The New Orleans personalities (and their recipes) include: Leah Chase, owner and Executive Chef of Dooky Chase’s Restaurant (Creole Gumbo); Pableaux Johnson, food writer, photographer and host of Red Beans Road Show (Monday Night Red Beans and Rice); and Tunde Wey, Chef, food writer and founder of Blackness in America dinners (Jollof Rice and Poached Chicken with Pepper Sauce).

The cookbook, which goes on sale Oct. 31, helps fight childhood hunger by helping No Kid Hungry connect kids with at least 200,000 meals.

“Food is at the heart of a family,” says Maria Muro, publisher of New Orleans Living. “Food brings the family together at mealtimes, and recipes are handed down for generations — especially here in New Orleans.” nokidhungry.org