Best Food Writing by Holly Hughes

Best Food Writing Reviews

• 
  Linda

  I enjoyed all the essays, and it gave me ideas on new foods to enjoy!
• 
  Justine

  After reading several year's worth of Best Food Writing anthologies, I can't tell if I'm becoming more critical, or if the writing that is featured in this annual compilation is going downhill. I remember picking up the first volume of this and being wowed by the breadth and thoughtfulness of the writing, and the inclusion of several fairly intellectual, touching, or poetic works.
  
  The first third of the 2009 edition was awful. 500 word spiels about barbecue restaurants in West Texas (no offense anyone) hardly makes for good writing, and pieces that are written for local newspapers or for the pure ability to help individuals find a restaurant may not be the best option. As the book progressed (it moves thematically), the entries became much more of what I was used to-- journeys of food writers to the butchers to see how animals die, old family memories of food, the relationship of food to other, larger themes in life, the evolution of spam... this is what is worth reading.
  
  I will read the 2010 collection and the others that I've managed to miss, but a little part of me thinks that the trend of everyone becoming a foodie (it's the hip thing to do!), while great from a we-should-be-conscious-of-and-take-joy-in-what-we-eat-sense, is also sad from an i-already-don't-trust-99%-of-people's-literary-taste-so-why-intrude-on-my-food-writing-america! sense.
  
  As the self-aware snob that I am hopes-- the next editions will care less about the food (gasp) and more about the writing.
• 
  Molly Lingenfelter

  I haven't read any of the other books in this series, but I probably will after finishing this one. There's a nice selection of essays in several categories (Food Fights, Stocking the Pantry, and so on). Some categories were less interesting to me than others, but there's a nice balance of topics. If you read a lot about food, some of the essays feel dated (artisinal-local-slow-foodie stuff). Some standouts included "The Last of the Great $10 Steaks," part restaurant review/part memoir; "Kitchen Smackdown"; "They Remember Home," brief glimpse into the lives of Iraqi immigrants; "What We Hunger For," touching tribute to M.F.K. Fisher; and "An Uncalculating Science." There are a handful of promising recipes as well.
• 
  Karla

  WHY I PICKED IT UP:
  Enjoyed BFW 2008, and I felt compelled to travel with my Nook instead of my Kindle. I wasn't going to re-buy books for my Nook, but I hadn't picked this up for my Kindle yet.
  
  NOW THAT I'VE READ IT:
  As expected, great reading. Every piece is interesting, poignant, well-written. The collection as a whole is varied, both in terms of content and style. Picking up one of these collections is a great way to expose yourself to a wide variety of food writing styles, and a great way to discover new authors to follow, as most of the contributors have blogs or columns. I can't wait for 2010.
• 
  Diane

  I enjoyed this collection of stories, many culled from magazines and websites. Often there is a "hit or miss" feeling with collections, I thought this selection truly did represent the cream of the crop. My favorite of the batch was "Last Meal," a poignant account of a father and son's bonding through food.
• 
  Diane C.

  Took me awhile to getting around to this book, after someone gave it to me, 5 years to be exact. It's got variety, great stories and because it's a collection of stories, you can skip around or read before bed. One to keep on the bedside, or just around to pick up now and then and read.
  
  Love this book, and you will too, especially if you are bit of a foodie.
• 
  Brittany Harrington

  A fantastic read. It made me want to get back in my kitchen, even though I've only left if a few hours ago. The recipes included in some of the essays are mouth-watering and I can't wait to try my version of them.
• 
  Sarah

  This year's annual was weaker than any other, in my opinion. But I think that's mostly because of the state of food writing. Many of the topics become "preachy" quite easily.
  
  Still very worth a read!
• 
  Meghan

  Always good for an airplane or the tube.
• 
  Jess

  Pardon the metaphor . . . but this is better nibbled at than devoured straight through.
• 
  Tim

  another good best american collection - the middle newspaper writers are a bit much... but some of the more famous personalities and excerpts were great to see in one collection.
• 
  Nicky

  Best book of the series yet.
• 
  Jessica

  A well chosen collection of food writing from 2009. Covers a variety of topics and a great group of authors. A fun and easy read!
• 
  D.J.

  Had to read this for my food and travel writing class back in 2010. Loved it. Great collection of stories in here!
• 
  Luciana Betenson

  Tem altos e baixos. Algumas crônicas excelentes, algumas tediosas, a maioria simples distração. Para quem gosta muito do tema, vale.
• 
  Yoko7618

  to read