It marks the entry of a brilliant new talent. ( From the publisher. Ryan Stradal’s startlingly original debut tells the story of a single dish and character, at once capturing the zeitgeist of the Midwest, the rise of foodie culture, and delving into the ways food creates community and a sense of identity.īy turns quirky, hilarious, and vividly sensory, Kitchens of the Great Midwest is an unexpected mother-daughter story about the bittersweet nature of life-its missed opportunities and its joyful surprises. From Scandinavian lutefisk to hydroponic chocolate habaneros, each ingredient represents one part of Eva’s journey as she becomes the star chef behind a legendary and secretive pop-up supper club, culminating in an opulent and emotional feast that’s a testament to her spirit and resilience.Įach chapter in J. Ryan Stradal’s first novel, Kitchens of the Great Midwest, is a loosely connected set of eight short stories that are each focused on a single dish as well as a single point of view of someone who, to some degree, orbits the world of a legendary chef. How would you characterize the Midwest as Stradal paints it in this book What makes the se ng unique and important for. He’s determined to pass on his love of food to his daughter-starting with pureed pork shoulder.Īs Eva grows, she finds her solace and salvation in the flavors of her native Minnesota. 36,898 Ratings When Lars Thorvalds wife, Cynthia, falls in love with wine-and a dashing sommelier-hes left to raise their baby, Eva, on his own.When Lars Thorvald’s wife, Cynthia, falls in love with wine-and a dashing sommelier-he’s left to raise their baby, Eva, on his own.

A young woman with a once-in-a-generation palate becomes the iconic chef behind the country’s most coveted dinner reservation, is the summer’s most hotly-anticipated debut.

Kitchens of the great midwest book