Unpalatable: Stories of Pain and Pleasure in Southern Cookbooks

by Carrie Helms Tippen

264 pages, Paperback

Published January 20, 2025

Reviews

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow i’m the first review… i loveddd this book so much! i thought the premise of the book itself was thoughtfully whipped up, and the way different aspects of it were explored always made each chapter feel fresh and unique.

many interesting thoughts on how the deep racism of the south translated into how flowery, peaceful, and ‘homey’ vibes of modern day (southern) cookbooks. the idea that southern food could not exist without the pain and suffering behind what it took to create these dishes, yet how cookbooks in general (but especially southern ones) push a warm and fluffy narrative, in an act of intentionally covering this past….

i will keep the review more vague but i would absolutely recommend this, especially if youve also had thoughts on how strange the culture of recipes revolved around buttering the reader up to forge an ‘authentic’ connection to convince them to use them? many layers peel back when you add on the visage people use for the south. should read!!!

[Astrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5