Diners, Dudes, and Diets: How Gender and Power Collide in Food Media and Culture

Dude food is a term used to describe masculine cuisine, such as burgers, hot wings, and barbecue, but it goes beyond what's on the plate. Dude food emerged in the aftermath of the Great Recession as a response to the collision of dude masculinity with food producers and marketers looking for new customers. Emily J. H. Contois' book explores how the gendered world of food production and consumption has influenced the way we eat and how food is central to the contest over our identities.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2020
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press

Dude food, a culinary phenomenon that has captured the hearts and taste buds of men worldwide, is much more than just a plate of burgers and wings. In Emily J. H. Contois's thought-provoking book, "Dude Food: The Cultural Politics of Masculinity," the author delves into the complex world of dude food, exploring its origins, evolution, and cultural significance.

The term "dude food" is often associated with images of burly men devouring massive burgers topped with an assortment of toppings, or ravenous sports fans demolishing plates of hot wings. However, Contois argues that there is a deeper layer to this culinary phenomenon. Dude food is not just about the food itself; it is also about the way men consume and define masculinity.

The book begins with the dude himself, a man who may possess a degree of masculine privilege but falls short of traditional standards of economic and social success or manly self-control. In the aftermath of the Great Recession, dude masculinity collided with food producers and marketers who were desperate to find new customers. The result was a wave of new diet sodas and yogurts marketed with dude-friendly stereotypes, a transformation of food media, and weight loss programs specifically designed for men.

Contois's work is a rich tapestry of fresh insights about contemporary American food media and culture. She demonstrates how the gendered world of food production and consumption has influenced the way we eat and how food itself is central to the contest over our identities. Dude food, she argues, is not just a matter of taste; it is a reflection of the broader social and cultural norms that shape our perceptions of masculinity.

Through her meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Contois explores the various ways in which dude food has become a symbol of male identity and a means of asserting dominance in a society that often values traditional gender roles. She examines the ways in which food producers and marketers have capitalized on the allure of dude food, creating products that are designed to appeal to men's desires for convenience, taste, and masculinity.

Contois also delves into the cultural significance of dude food, exploring how it has become a part of popular culture and a marker of social status. She examines the ways in which dude food has been used to construct and reinforce stereotypes about men, such as their love for meat, their disregard for health, and their pursuit of power and dominance.

Furthermore, Contois challenges the notion that dude food is solely a male phenomenon. She argues that women have also played a significant role in shaping the culture of dude food, particularly in the realm of food blogging and social media. Women, she suggests, have been instrumental in creating and popularizing recipes that are designed to appeal to men, often incorporating bold flavors, hearty ingredients, and a sense of adventure.

In conclusion, "Dude Food: The Cultural Politics of Masculinity" is a thought-provoking and illuminating book that offers a fresh perspective on the world of dude food. Through her meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Contois demonstrates how the phenomenon of dude food is not just about the food on the plate; it is a reflection of the broader social and cultural norms that shape our perceptions of masculinity. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in food, culture, and the ways in which gender and identity are intertwined in our daily lives.

Weight: 320g
Dimension: 157 x 234 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781469660745