Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J Ryan Stradal

Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J Ryan Stradal

"A sweet and savory treat." --People

"An impressive feat of narrative jujitsu . . . that keeps readers turning the pages too fast to realize just how ingenious they are."--The New York Times Book Review, Editor's Pick

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Lager Queen of Minnesota, Kitchens of the Great Midwest is a novel about a young woman with a once-in-a-generation palate who becomes the iconic chef behind the country's most coveted dinner reservation. 
 
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 puréed 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. It marks the entry of a brilliant new talent.

Ryan Stradal is the author of the national bestseller The Lager Queen of Minnesota and the New York Times bestseller Kitchens of the Great Midwest. His work has appeared in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, Granta, The Rumpus, and the Los Angeles Review of Books. Kitchens of the Great Midwest, his debut novel, received the American Booksellers Association Indie's Choice Award for Adult Debut Novel of the Year, the Southern California Independent Booksellers Association fiction prize, and the Midwest Booksellers Choice Award for debut fiction. He grew up in Minnesota and currently resides in Los Angeles.