THE TABLE COMES FIRST Family, France, and the Meaning of Food

Adam Gopnik's enthusiasm for all things foodie shines in the audio edition of his latest essay collection. Discussing everything from wine to potatoes, from food TV to literature, Gopnik covers food trends from the birth of the earliest restaurants and cookbooks to 21st-century locavores and urban honey producers. Gopnik's expressive reading—complete with a polished French accent when needed—invites listeners to share a table with him while he composes email to the late Elizabeth Pennell (food critic) or talks about the hidden knowledge of all good cooks. The text includes some discussion of cooking methods, but the narrative is not interrupted by formal recipes. Gopnik's passion for food history and how our culture became obsessed with food is a treat for the ears and the palate. C.B.L. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2011]