Recipes from the American South

Michael W. Twitty is an acclaimed culinary historian, and author of the two-times James Beard Award-winning book The Cooking Gene, as well as Rice and Koshersoul. He has written for many publications and been featured throughout print and broadcast media, including the Guardian, The New York Times, The Washington Post, PBS, and NPR’s The Splendid Table. He has given over 500 public talks and appeared in numerous series, including Taste the Nation and High on the Hog.

As featured in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, and Colossal ‘An immersive look at all manner of verdant dreamscapes.’ – Vanity Fair‘T hese enviable green spaces traverse the globe and all manner of flora with their thoughtful, site-specific designs .’ – The New York Times ‘Behind a stunning modern cover, this beauty spotlights 300 unique gardens from around the world.’ – New York Post ‘An ambitious, sweeping survey of America’s most diverse and complex regional foodways…If you’re anything less than a scholar of Southern food, there will be myriad histories, flavors, and dishes to discover in these pages.' – Bon Appétit, Best Cookbooks for Fall 2025‘This thoughtful and extensive cookbook cements the deep legacy of this cuisine on American foodways.’ – Eater, Best New Cookbooks of Fall 2025'Each and every recipe is a lesson, as much about cooking technique as it is about culinary history.' – Epicurious, Standout Cookbooks for Fall 2025‘This gorgeously designed tome [is] as much a pleasure to read as it is to behold.’ – Saveur, Best Cookbooks of Fall 2025‘Twitty lends his well-researched and lyrical storytelling to complementary essays that explore the cultural influences that impact Southern cuisine.’ – Food Tank, Fall 2025 Reads for Food, Farming, and Our Future‘No matter where you call home, you’re sure to learn something new about the South from this enlightening book.’ – Southern Living Magazine, Best Southern Cookbooks Of Fall 2025‘Twitty serves up historical food for thought, all delivered with a comprehensive look at the dishes Southerners are making today.’ – The Local Palate, Essential New Southern Cookbooks‘Very few food writers have thought more about Southern food than Michael W. Twitty…If you want to understand the food of the American South, with its tangled history, peoples and places, Mr. Twitty’s book is a must-read.' — Wall Street Journal‘There’s no shortage of Southern cookbooks, but this one looks like it might just make the best case yet that Southern food contains multitudes.’ – Garden & Gun‘An instant classic Southern cookbook, Recipes from the American South explores the historical roots of one region’s culture and food.’ – Foreword,  STARRED review ‘Promises the perfect balance of learning and cooking. It delivers nostalgia, exploration, and many divine meals.’ – Library Journal, STARRED review‘Astonishing.’ – Chicago Reader‘Spotlights dishes from across the region and shares the stories behind them.’ – Publishers Weekly‘Delves into Southern cooking fundamentals, emphasizing the history of the region’s iconic cuisine.’ – BookRiot‘One thing about Michael Twitty is that he makes you hungry for both knowledge and sustenance. In Recipes from the American South, he does an outstanding job of creating a shared language for food enthusiasts, culinary scholars, and the cookbook collector to speak about the greatness that is Southern cuisine. The South is not a monolith and through historical references, personal annotations, and delicious recipes, Michael proves just how connected we are. This book gives a new voice to old standbys, and it should be added to the shelves of anyone in love with what this region has to offer.’ – KJ Kearney‘Michael Twitty reminds us that the South is more than just sweet tea and peach cobbler. In Recipes from the American South, he weaves his signature style of research with warm and masterful storytelling, giving us fuller context for the South as we know it. Beyond the table, Michael delves deep into homes, historical narratives, and traditions that have shaped this storied region. Be prepared to love the classic, popular recipes AND the lesser-known treasures throughout this book. Don’t say I didn’t warn you – this is not just a cookbook, it’s a culinary tome, Michael’s newest masterpiece.’ – Jocelyn Delk Adams, tv host & award-winning cookbook author of Grandbaby Cakes and Everyday Grand‘I love reading Michael’s work. A true culinary scholar with a deep reverence for culture and history, he’s become – at least in my opinion – this generation’s definitive food historian. Recipes from the American South is a sweeping love letter to the region that shaped America’s palate. With both scholarly depth and personal intimacy, Michael W. Twitty weaves together the intertwined histories of Native, African, European, and immigrant foodways that define Southern cuisine. From buttermilk biscuits and hush puppies to rice bread and Creole tomato salads, every recipe tells a story – of migration, resistance, memory, and celebration. This is more than a cookbook – it’s a cultural reckoning, a tribute to those who fed generations with creativity and care, and a call to honor the Southern table in all its rich, complicated beauty.’ – Eric Adjepong‘Flavor first.’ – Food Section ‘A celebration of the South's rich – and messy – heritage, delivered on a plate.’ – NPR Culture Desk ‘It might be best to buy two copies of Twitty's book: One to use, love, and get a little scuffed around the edges in the kitchen, and the other to display like a work of art on your coffee table.’ – Foodie.com, Best New Cookbooks Of 2025 ‘A deeply personal portrait of the region’s food, memory and migration.’ – Southern Kitchen ‘Deceptively straightforward, but exceedingly complex.’ – Gravy ‘The kind of legacy cookbook that deserves a spot on the shelf between Julia Child and Joy of Cooking.’ – Simply Recipes ‘ Books by Black authors we can’t wait to read.’ – The Root ‘Michael Twitty is an inspiring storyteller who pulls you in with his deep and personal understanding of history, culture, ingredients, and people. He has written an instant classic – a must-have reference book peeling back the layers of American Southern cooking.’ – James Beard Award-winning chef and restaurateur, José Andrés‘Michael Twitty has long been one of the most important voices in American food and his new book – which upends everything you think you know about southern food – is another impressive addition to the cookbook canon. Everyone who thinks southern cooking is all about mayonnaise and marshmallows is in for a surprise. Personally, I'd buy it just for the chapter on breads, biscuits, and breakfast.’ – Ruth Reichl‘Brings [Twitty’s] skill as a home cook and historically informed recipe-maker to the fore, allowing ingredients and dishes to transform into cultural and temporal touchpoints.’ – The Slowdown ‘Explores the untold tales and Acadian influences of the American South.’ – Globe and Mail ‘Gorgeous.’ – Seattle Times ‘A comprehensive volume on the origins and evolution of southern cooking.’ – The Strategist, Best Cookbooks to Gift ‘Part history, part cookbook, and all a joy to read.’ – TIME ‘A perfect gift for those who value the culinary history of a region and want to learn more.’