Best Food Writing 2005

by Holly Hughes (Editor)

Best Food Writing 2005 assembles, for its sixth year, the most exceptional writing from the past year's books, magazines, newspapers, newsletters, and Web sites. Included are the best writers on everything from celebrated chefs to the travails of the home cook, from food sourcing at the greenmarket to equipping one's kitchen, from erudite culinary history to food-inspired memoirs. Like past collections, the 2005 round-up will include pieces from food-writing stars such as Robb Walsh, John Thorne, Calvin Trillin, Amanda Hesser, Ruth Reichl, Colman Andrews, Jason Epstein, and Jeffrey Steingarten. Opinionated, evocative, nostalgic, brash, thought-provoking, and sometimes just plain funny, it's a tasty sampler to dip into time and again, whether you're in the mood for caviar or hot dogs.

Genres: Food, Nonfiction, Food Writing, Essays, Cooking

400 pages, Paperback

First published October 5, 2005

About the author

Holly Hughes has edited the annual Best Food Writing series since its inception in 2000. The author of Frommer's 500 Places for Food and Wine Lovers, she lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Justine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a big sucker for food writing-- "food porn" if you will. Whenever I get my Gourmet, I read it, cover to cover, and get really excited about what I want to make and how to describe it. I also sometimes read cookbooks becuase I'm a nerd.

There is something universal and visceral about food writing-- everyone can relate. For what is there more common than what we eat and how we feel about it?

This compilation consists of excepts from food magazines, newspapers, and books, complete with nerdy, nerdy food details, accounts of artisan _______ makers; gluttonous odes to fatty things, and of course, recipes.


Favorite stories include a Jordanian woman's eulogic memoir of a family outing; an Indian woman's description of how she learned to cook; a woman's account of how she steeped her own liquor; and the author's introduction: how one summer she made each of her three children prepare one dinner a week.


Foodies, eaters, and cooks unite. A great read.

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Many of the essays in this book bored me. I did not care to learn about the history of a chain restaurant's imitation Polynesian food, although I did like reading about the history of apples. The female writers were sparse, although Ruth Reichel had an essay included (also found in her book Garlic and Sapphires). Only a handful of the essays were actually worth reading (do check out the essay titled "Gardens on the Mesa"--it will make you wish you could live off of your garden). The book was sprinkled with recipes here and there, but I was only interested in cooking/baking two of them. I made the polenta with wild mushrooms and mascarpone cheese and found it just okay, but the Chocolate Chewies recipe was very much worthwhile.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few essays that particularly struck my fancy:
"As Asian as Apple Crumble" - a brief history of the apple
"Big and Beautiful: Lafite for 12" - a lovely story about a priceless vintage
"Norwegian Wood" - a beautifully written piece about childhood memories of visiting Norway in summer

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are three subjects about which I will read almost any book written; birds, Ancient Egypt, and food. I just picked up a copy of Holly Hughes' book Best Food Writing of 2005. Hughes' selections have entertained and educated me. I love it!

[seri]

i'm a sucker for food writing. this hits the spot; totally bite-sized but not worth a cover-to-cover read.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

A yummy collection of short essays ranging from a brief history of apples to food eating experiences, such as hot chicken in Tennessee.

[Alan Onnen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these collection.