Food Americana - by David Page (Paperback)

About the Book

Food Americana is targeted directly at the millions of Americans for whom food is more than just sustenance. This is a wide and diverse group for whom information about the culinary world has become an important element of enjoying life, even if they themselves do not enjoy cooking. For many, it's a true curiosity. For others, a way to burnish one's "foodie credentials." But whatever the reason, this is an audience eager for inside stories, little-known facts, and a guide to the authenticity of the various cuisines that make up the American menu today. What they do not want is academic studies, plodding history, or attempts to deep dive into the intersection of policy and politics. They want the breezy but authoritative style they've come to love from their main sources of food information--Eater, Serious Eats, Grub Street, and the like.

Book Synopsis

Whet Your Appetites for A Fascinating History of American Food

"Terrific food journalism. Page uncovers the untold backstories of American food. A great read." --George Stephanopoulos, Good Morning America, This Week and ABC News' Chief Anchor

2021 International Book Awards finalist in History: United States
Living Now Book Award, Silver - Cookbooks, Ethnic Holiday
#1 New Release in History Humor, Food & Cooking, and Media Tie-In Cooking

David Page changed the world of food television by creating, developing, and executive-producing the groundbreaking show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Now from this two-time Emmy winner comes Food Americana, an entertaining mix of food culture, pop culture, nostalgia, and everything new on the American plate.

The remarkable history of American food. What is American cuisine, what national menu do we share, what dishes have we chosen, how did they become "American," and how are they likely to evolve from here? David Page answers all these questions and more.

Engaging, insightful, and often humorous. The inside story of how Americans have formed a national cuisine from a world of flavors. Sushi, pizza, tacos, bagels, barbecue, dim sum―even fried chicken, burgers, ice cream, and many more―were born elsewhere and transformed into a unique American cuisine.

Food Americana is a riveting ride into everything we eat and why. From a lobster boat off the coast of Maine to the Memphis in May barbecue competition. From the century-old Russ & Daughters lox and bagels shop in lower Manhattan to the Buffalo Chicken Wing Festival. From a thousand-dollar Chinese meal in San Francisco to birria tacos from a food truck in South Philly.

Meet engaging characters and legends including:

• Alice Waters
• Daniel Boulud
• Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry's
• Mel Brooks

If you enjoyed captivating food history books like A History of the World in 6 Glasses, On Food and Cooking, or the classic Salt by Mark Kurlansky, you'll love Food Americana.

Review Quotes

"A delicious, nutricious multi-course meal of history that goes down as easy as an appetizer, but satisfies like a main course." - Gustavo Arellano, author of Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America

"David Page offers an expertly crafted exploration of American cuisine from a bird's-eye view of dishes that swoops in for a closer look-and road trip-worthy noshes." -- José R. Ralat, author of American Tacos: A History and Guide and Texas Monthly taco editor

"In Food Americana, David Page gives a hungry public just what it needs: the fascinating inside scoop on our nation's most iconic foods, and the reasons why they are so beloved. Page's rich storytelling sets a grand table, serves a literary feast, and leaves you savoring every morsel." - Adrian Miller, James Beard Award winning author of Soul Food: The Surprising Story of an American Cuisine, One Plate at a Time

"The cuisine of America is a complicated affair with a surprisingly robust and diverse history. Who better than David Page, who has crisscrossed America for years, to parse the intricacies of our foodways? It's a daunting task and I'm selfishly happy that he has dedicated an entire chapter to hamburgers." - George Motz - author of Hamburger America and host of Burger Scholar Sessions

"Food Americana presents a tremendous historical view; guaranteed to make you hungry!" - "Wing King" Drew Cerza, Buffalo Wing Festival founder

"An original gem. David Page has written a humorous cultural history full of deep research, smart anecdotes, novel information and mouth-watering accounts of the origins of our favorite foods. I didn't know how much love goes into a taco." - Martin Fletcher, TV Correspondent and National Jewish Book Award-winning author of Promised Land

"Every food, regardless of time and place, ingredients or mode of preparation, has a history. David Page offers a breathtaking journey across time. guiding us to the stories behind the foods we eat. " - Hasia Diner, New York University and author of Hungering for America

"In Food Americana, David Page celebrates America's iconic dishes: what they are, where they came from and where they are going, who loves them and why. It's a gold mine of information, told not just with facts, but with beguiling anecdotes and good humor. This is a book that shows how deeply and brilliantly (and deliciously) what we eat defines who we are." - Michael Stern, Roadfood

"Few people think about the background and staying power of the favorite things they eat. David Page brings each food's history to every bite!" - Marvin Lender, co-founder of Lender's Frozen Bagels

"A delicious swirl of entertaining stories to fulfill any food lover's appetites." - Jerry Greenfield, co-founder Ben & Jerry's

"Food Americana dives deep into the, history, subculture and popularity of everyone's favorite foods. It's an incredible read." - Tony Gemignani, 13 Time World Pizza Champion

"Terrific food journalism. Page uncovers the untold backstories of American food. A great read." - George Stephanopoulos, Good Morning America, This Week and ABC News' Chief Anchor