Kitchens of the Great Midwest - 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 Timesbestselling author of The Lager Queen of Minnesota, Kitchens of the Great Midwest is a novelabout 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 pured 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.

J. Ryan Stradalis the author of New York Times bestseller Kitchens of the Great Midwest and national bestseller The Lager Queen of Minnesota. He is a contributing editor at TASTE Magazine, and his writing has appeared inThe Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, Granta, The Rumpus,and theLos Angeles Review of Books, among other places. Born and raised in Minnesota, he now lives in Los Angeles, where he co-hosts a culinary-themed reading series called Hot Dish. He has also worked as a TV producer, notably forIce Road Truckers and Deadliest Catch.