At the Table of Power: Food and Cuisine in the African American Struggle for Freedom, Justice, and Equality

At the Table of Power is a cookbook and culinary history that explores African American and American culinary experiences, social issues, and political commentary. It reveals the political and cultural journey of Africans in America during the foundation years, from colonial slavery to the Reconstruction era, and highlights the contributions of African American culinary artists.

Format: Hardback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 18 October 2022
Publisher: University of Pittsburgh Press

At the Table of Power is a captivating cookbook and culinary history that weaves together social issues, personal stories, and political commentary. Renowned culinary historian Diane M. Spivey provides a unique perspective on the historical experience and cultural values of African America and America through the lens of the kitchen. From the rural country kitchen and steamboat floating palaces to marketplace street vendors and restaurants in urban hubs of business and finance, Africans in America have cooked their way to positions of distinct superiority and indispensability. Despite their numerous culinary accomplishments, most Black culinary artists have been made invisible – until now. Within these pages, Spivey tells a powerful story that beckons and dares the reader to witness this culinary, cultural, and political journey taken hand in hand with the fight of Africans in America during the foundation years, from colonial slavery through the Reconstruction era. These narratives, along with the recipes from the 19th and 20th centuries, expose the politics of the day and offer insight into the politics of today. African American culinary artists, Spivey concludes, have more than earned a rightful place at the table of culinary contribution and power.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780822947318