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Globe Pequot, paperback, $21.95
My latest “Great”est. Read all about it here.
Order now on Amazon.com, Bookshop.org, or GlobePequot.com.
Countryman Press/W.W. Norton, paperback, $19.95
The one-and-only complete history, cookbook and guide to America’s favorite cookie, including the never-before-told true story of the cookie’s invention (despite what you may have read elsewhere, it was no accident!), a state-by-state survey of bakeries and restaurants famous for their chocolate chips and more than 75 recipes. Paperback and e-book download.
“Thorough and entertaining…. Got me hankering for some … cookies,” wrote Jon Michaud of my book in his New Yorker piece based on it.
“Breezily written … fact-filled history. “ — Philadelphia Inquirer/philly.com
“Worth acquiring for its fun, historical perspective. Highly recommended.” — Library Journal.
I talk Ruth Wakefield and admit to having cookies and milk before bed (still!) in the “The Way the Cookie Crumbles” episode of the Gastropod podcast.
I am a near lifelong subscriber/fan of the tip-filled Bottom Line Personal newsletter so imagine my delight to be the featured expert in its baking-focused “Up Your Chocolate Chip Cookie Game” story.
GQ’s Cam Wolf keeps the love alive during the pandemic with a little help from this chocolate chip cookie book author.
Buy now at Amazon.com or Bookshop.org.
Running Press/Perseus, paperback, $15.95
The definitive book about Philadelphia’s favorite food, including history, stand profiles, artistic and event tributes and recipes to re-create this great taste at home. “The Great Philly Cheesesteak Book” is everything about the cheesesteak that mind and mouth can digest!
“One of my favorite food books so far this year. … An excellent read for those Philadelphia ex-pats who miss their favorite sandwich or casual cheesesteak fans who would like to know more.” — Hamburger Calculus blog
“Dishes out heaping portions of local color, history and helpful info.”- Philadelphia Inquirer
“A really entertaining read.” — Metro
I am “cheesesteak whisperer” to Thrillist’s talented Wil Fulton (he of this hilarious Tom Brady diet piece) in his quest to find the best Philly cheesesteak for this Thrillist Explorers podcast.
Delaware News-Journal story about the cheesesteak bike ride I organized to introduce this book. Click here to read the article.
I host a video visit to Leo’s Steak Shop in Folcroft for the late, great Philadelphia City Paper. Click here to watch the video.
Out of print but still available used for up to a nutty $168 on Amazon.com
Quirk/Chronicle, paperback, $14.95
Unwraps the boxes and opens the bottles to tell the surprising stories of the inventors, companies, marketers and other creative geniuses behind such supermarket stars as Twinkies, Velveeta, Kool-Aid and Mrs. Paul’s Fish Sticks, revealing, to give just one example, that the voice behind the Pillsbury Doughboy’s “hoo-hoo” was the same as that of Rocky and Bullwinkle’s dastardly Boris Badenov. Sort of an updated, more compact paperback “I’m a Spam Fan” (see below) with more, and more colorful illustrations. Also available as an audio CD/Audible download read by Nancy Wu. The basis of a “Not My Job” quiz on National Public Radio’s “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me”
“A colorful who’s who and what’s what of longevous convenience products from Potato Buds to Pop-Tarts, the book supplies all sorts of entertaining grocery store lore.” — Saveur
I talk Wonder Bread on the 11-14-04 “Daily Bread” episode of Public Radio International’s “To the Best of Our Knowledge.”
Listen to me read the “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter” entry from this book here (courtesy Kelly Writers House and WXPN).
Buy now at Amazon.com
Harvest/Harcourt, paperback, $14.95
The complete cultural history of this colorful dessert (and sometimes salad) including Jell-O’s invention and marketing campaigns, Jell-O celebrations and media appearances and recipes (including one for a swimming-pool-size Jell-O wrestling medium). With more than 200 photos and illustrations in black and Jell-O lime green.
“The definitive look at the history and cultural significance of this sweet, colorful food-as-plaything.” — The Hartford Courant. Read the full story here.
“A surprisingly funny array of Americana, kitsch and trivia.” – People
“Sticks resolutely to a Jell-O flavored philosophy: fun and color and silliness are nothing to be ashamed of, nutrition be damned.” — New York Times “Think Tank” appreciation.
I serve as expert witness for NPR’s All Things Considered’s story about Jell-O strawberry cake.
Buy now from Amazon.com.
Harvest/Harcourt, paperback, $14.95
Similar to above, except about the world’s most popular luncheon loaf. How Spam rescued the Russian army from starvation, where you can find Spam tacos, sushi and pizza, Spam websites and festivals, the complete text of the Monty Python Spam skit, recipes for Spam Spargot, bread, cheesecake, mincemeat truffles and much, much more! Fully illustrated in black and pink. Featured on “The Tonight Show” and “Fresh Air.” Named a “Best Book for the Teen Age” by the New York Public Library and my best-seller (which is not the same thing as a best-seller).
“The definitive treatment on the subject” by “the world’s foremost authority on convenience foods.” — Associated Press
“Witty, extensively illustrated overview.” – People
I provide some historical context in this statistics-filled CNBC video piece about why SPAM sales continue to be robust.
I serve a similar role to above in a Business Insider podcast titled A Tale of Two SPAMS (by which they mean the food that is revered in Hawaii and reviled in NYC vs. the SPAM Internet/food dichotomy).
Available from Amazon.com.
Birch Lane/Carol, hardcover, $14.95
More than 150 of the world’s weirdest recipes, including chow mein candy, rattlesnake chili, Velveeta fudge, hot dog pie, garlic ice cream, oatmeal soup, pollen pancakes, White Castle stuffing, and, of course, the famous clothes dryer shrimp and kitty litter cake recipes. All guaranteed edible and non-life-threatening. Featured on “The Rosie O’Donnell Show.”
“One-hundred-fifty of the most horrifying recipes ever concocted.” — Associated Press. Read the full story here.
“Offbeat’ might be too sedate a description.” — Publisher’s Weekly
Available used at Amazon.com.
Longmeadow Press, hardcover, $14.95
No, not another book about Spam but rather short profiles of the foods America eats the most and loves the best (like Spam, Jell-O and Kraft Mac and Cheese) arranged by supermarket aisle. Coffee table book format.
“The most interesting book about food we have read this year and probably the most important… an exhilarating source of information, insight and fun.” — authors Jane and Michael Stern
“You won’t find anything about sun-dried tomatoes, shittake mushrooms, whole grain breads or 100 percent pure fruit drinks here.” — Associated Press
“Mmm-mmm good.” — New York Daily News
Q&A with the New York Times’ Claire Collins about using “I’m a Spam Fan”-featured convenience foods to slay Thanksgiving.
Buy now (for less than the cost of the M&M’s profiled therein) from Amazon.com.
Put a clam cake book under the tree this year! Just click here!