Cafe Event: J. Ryan Stradal - Kitchens of the Great Midwest

Book Passage Cafe
Tickets: $12 (Includes Tasty Snacks Prepared from the Book)

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. He's determined to pass on his love of food to his daughter, starting with pureed pork shoulder. As Eva grows, she finds her solace and salvation in the flavors of her native Minnesota. 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. Each chapter in J. 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. By 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. 

J. Ryan Stradal edits the fiction section of The Nervous Breakdown with Gina Frangello. His writing has appeared in The Rumpus, the Los Angeles Review of Books, and McSweeneys: The Goods, among other places. Born and raised in Minnesota, he now lives in Los Angeles and has worked as a TV producer, notably for the History Channel's Ice Road Truckers and Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch.

 

Location: 

51 Tamal Vista Blvd
Corte Madera, CA 94925
Kitchens of the Great Midwest By J. Ryan Stradal Cover Image
$25.00
Email or call for price
ISBN: 9780525429142
Published: Pamela Dorman Books - July 28th, 2015