Food is an incredibly important element in all cultures. A delicious meal has the power to bring together families at a table. But also, the secrets to a well-guarded family recipe can cause some intense family drama. In this article, we have compiled a list of titles from a variety of different cultures where food is a central topic in the narrative. Read along to find your next appetizing read.
Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala
As the first part in the cozy mystery series Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery, after a rocky breakup, Lila Macapagal moves back home to her family. While attempting to focus on helping her Tita Rosie save the family restaurant, her aunts also attempt to play matchmaker with Lila. But things become extremely complicated when a harsh food critic drops dead after visiting the restaurant. What makes matters worse is that the food critic was Lila’s ex-boyfriend. As authorities designate Lila as suspect #1, Lila must go on a journey to find the real culprit.
Ramón and Julieta by Alana Quintana Albertson
This romantic comedy is set against the backdrop of Julieta Campos’s family taqueria. Sadly, due to the impending gentrification threatening her neighborhood, the family business is in danger of turning into a corporate coffee chain. Even worse, Julieta finds out that her new landlord, who has bought the entire block, is no other than the extremely attractive and mysterious Ramón Montez, whom Julieta crossed paths with at the local Dia de los Muertos celebration. While attraction between the two may be sparking, the complication of Ramón’s father instigating the sale of Julieta’s taqueria causes a rocky relationship between the two.
Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
After the death of their mother, Eleanor Bennett, siblings Byron and Benny are left with a voice recording, a black cake, and so many unanswered questions. The cake itself is made from an old family recipe, and it was left with the instruction that the children consume the cake when the time is right. Through the clues left from their mother, the siblings discover secrets, a history that has since been concealed, and a closeness between each other that was previously lost.
Simmer Down by Sarah Echavarre Smith
In this enemies-to-lovers romance, Nikki DiMarco finds herself on the beaches of Maui, helping her mother run a Filipino food truck called Filipina Kusina. However, the foodie scene becomes complicated when Callum James parks his British food truck next door, ultimately stealing the mother and daughter’s business. To settle this feud, Nikki and Callum challenge each other to take part in the Maui Food Festival. Winner gets their spot on the beach, while the loser is forced to scram. Will emotions heat up in the kitchen? Or fizzle out in the sand?
Love & Saffron by Kim Fay
Two lovers of spices and other culinary delights are connected across a vast distance when Joan Bergstrom writes a fan letter to her favorite article writer, Imogen Fortier. Along with the letter, Joan sends Imogen a packet of saffron. As Imogen resides on Camano Island, she has limited access to ingredients such as saffron and even fresh garlic. Beyond foodie talks, the friendship between Joan and Imogen continues in their letters to each other, as they share each other’s lives through their words.
The Cuban Sandwich: A History in Layers by Andrew T. Huse
Coming from Tampa myself, the history and symbolism of the Cuban sandwich ascends to more than just a tasty lunch item. The layers of meat, cheese, and bread represent the complexities of immigrant groups that have made Tampa and Miami their homes. In Andrew T. Huse’s exploration of the history of the sandwich, he attempts to answer questions such as where the sandwich originated (I am quite biased and refuse to say it came from anywhere other than Tampa), how the sandwich became a symbol of the immigrants, and several other topics. Huse also interviews restaurant experts around the country on what makes the perfect Cuban sandwich.
Reading through these tasty suggestions can work up the appetite. These recommendations above demonstrate how food is extremely important in cultural representation.
Need some cookbook ideas? Check out this article.
And for even more cookbook recommendations, hop into our bookshelf: Creative Culinary Cookbooks for Your Tastebuds.
