Book Review - "The Southern Foodie"

I love trying out new recipes and I always love to look through new cookbooks; therefore I was thrilled to get a chance to review Chris Chamberlain's "The Southern Foodie: 100 Places to Eat in the South Before You Die (and the recipes that made them famous)!"  This is a book jam-packed with recipes, touristy tidbits and great information, it is fun to look through and read!

Book Description from the publisher:

Thirteen states, 100 chefs, and 134 recipes later, one thing is clear: the food of the American South tells a story that spans the distance from New Orleans to Louisville, Little Rock to Charleston, Nashville to Dallas, and every city in between. The Southern Foodie explores a hearty swath of the South’s culinary culture, following its roots and exploring its evolution in the region’s best restaurants.
Meet the people who are keeping the tradition alive and reinventing the flavors of the South. Swing on down to the Gulf Coast, and wade into a chef’s wonderland of fresh seafood and spicy heat. Check out the culinary creativity in the Carolinas, where you’ll find traditional smoked pork barbecue alongside Southern favorites made with fresh, local produce. Explore the restaurant kitchens of Atlanta and Nashville, where the chefs aren’t shy about fusing comfort food standards with international flair and unexpected techniques. Join Chris Chamberlain for access to the South’s best recipes and the kitchens where they were developed.

• Jalapeño-and-Cheese-Stuffed Grit Cakes from Mason’s Grill, Baton Rouge, LA
• Roasted Heirloom Pumpkin with Mulled Sorghum Glaze from Capitol Grille, Nashville, TN
• Country Ham Fritters from Proof on Main, Louisville, KY
• Blue Crab Cheesecake from Old Firehouse Restaurant, Hollywood, SC
• Apricot Fried Pies from Penguin Ed’s Bar-B-Q, Fayetteville, AR

The Southern Foodie shows you where the South eats and how to create those distinct flavors at home. You’re sure to rediscover old favorites and get a closer look at the delicious new traditions in Southern cuisine.

My Review:

Wow! What a great cookbook! Reading this book and looking through it has caused me to want to try so many recipes, but also go and visit these places! I live in the North, but went to college in Virginia and have a love for the south - the accents, the food, the beautiful places to visit, everything and this book makes me long to return there.  This is really so much more than "just a cookbook" and it will be a treasured addition to anyone's kitchen and cookbook collection who enjoys Southern food and appreciates the south as well as anyone who enjoys trying out new recipes and learning the history behind places and recipes.  I highly recommend this for anyone planning a trip to the South or wanting to try out some Southern cooking at home!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*