Friday Reads and an Apology
Howdy cookbook fans!
This Friday issue is going out to everyone, not just paid subscribers, because I have some apologizing to do.
I received feedback that yesterday’s open thread about cookbooks by women of color was exoticizing and tokenizing. My intention was to celebrate, but I missed the mark, and I apologize. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate being held accountable for this, and I promise to read more, listen more, and strive for improvement.
I’ll add the above note to the thread. Today’s newsletter is just going to be a collection of stuff to read/watch. Have a great weekend, see you Wednesday, and happy cooking.
UK restaurant Dishoom’s new cookbook is popular enough some book pirates scanned it and sold a PDF to “everyone and their nice auntie.” Shamil Thakrar, co-founder of the restaurant and one of the book’s authors, is urging those who bought a pirated to copy to donate to Hospitality Action. [Guardian]
“Why do we always have white people stationed as the figureheads?”—Food writer Osayi Endolyn in conversation with Whetstone’s Stephen Satterfield, talking about food media, cookbooks, and who gets to tell stories. [Black Food Folks/IGTV]
“Last week, unit sales of print books had their second consecutive week of double-digit growth over the previous week at outlets that report to NPD BookScan.” [PW via HtBaCA/FB]
Seattle cookbook shop Book Larder is donating meals to healthcare workers. [KIRO]
Not cookbooks, but this from drinks writer Leslie Pariseau tracing the New York Times’ wine coverage since 1962 is worth your time. [Punch]
On cookbook collecting and how the recipe directory website Eat Your Books makes a large collection manageable. [FT]
Inside the honestly quite remarkable The World Eats Here: Amazing Food and the Inspiring People Who Make It at New York’s Queens Night Market. [Smithsonian]
Cookbook review: The Ranch Gordo Heirloom Bean Guide by Steve Sando. [Eater SF]
An interview with Megan Scott and John Becker, co-authors of the latest edition of The Joy of Cooking. [F&W]
Save a restaurant, buy a cookbook? [Vogue]
Absolutely inexplicable things commonly said about veggie burgers. [Shatner Chatner]