Taste Makers: Seven Immigrant Women Who Revolutionized Food in America

“Taste Makers: Seven Immigrant Women Who Revolutionized Food in America” by Mayukh Sen is a non-fiction book that delves into the stories of seven immigrant women who have significantly impacted the American food industry. Written by journalist and food writer Mayukh Sen, who has written for publications such as Bon Appétit, The New Yorker, and The New York Times, and a James Beard Award-winning author, this book is an informative and engaging read that explores the contributions and achievements of these women.

The Contributions and Achievements of Immigrant Women

One of the strengths of the book is its focus on immigrant women, who are often overlooked in discussions about the food industry. The author highlights the unique experiences and challenges faced by these women and how they were able to overcome them to make a significant impact on American cuisine. The book also explores the intersection of race, gender, and class and how it affected these women’s experiences.

Diverse Representation

The book is also diverse in terms of the women featured, the author has included women from various cultural backgrounds, including Chinese, Mexican, and Indian and the food they brought to America.

1. Buwei Yang Chao

“How to Cook and Eat in Chinese,” written by Buwei Yang Chao, is a seminal work in the field of Chinese cuisine. It was first published in 1949 and is still in print today. It is considered the first Chinese cookbook written in English and aimed at an American audience. Chao Yang Buwei, also known as Buwei Yang Chao, was a Chinese-American author and chef who introduced many Americans to the flavors and techniques of Chinese cuisine through her cookbook.

2. Elena Zelayeta

Elena Zelayeta was a Mexican-American chef who introduced authentic Mexican flavors to America through her cookbooks and cooking classes. Despite being blind, she was able to master the art of cooking and share her passion with others through her cookbook, “Elena’s Secrets of Mexican Cooking,” which became a bestseller when it was published in 1956 and is still considered a valuable resource today.

3. Madeleine Kamman

Madeleine Kamman was a highly skilled French chef and teacher who had a significant impact on American cuisine. She trained many notable chefs and emphasized preserving traditional French cooking methods. Her training programs were renowned for their rigor and effectiveness.

4. Marcella Hazan

Marcella Hazan was born in Cesenatico, Italy in 1924. She moved to the United States in 1955, and she began teaching cooking classes out of her home in New York City. In 1973, she published her first cookbook, “The Classic Italian Cookbook.” The cookbook was an instant success, and it introduced Americans to authentic Italian cooking.

5. Julie Sahni

Julie Sahni is an Indian-American chef who has made a name for herself by introducing the flavors of India to America through her cookbooks and cooking classes. Her cookbook, “Classic Indian Cooking,” was first published in 1980 and is still considered a valuable resource for Indian cuisine today. Thanks to her, we can enjoy the deliciousness of Indian food without having to travel all the way to India!

6. Najmieh Batmanglij

Najmieh Batmanglij is an Iranian-American chef who introduced Americans to the rich flavors and techniques of Iranian cuisine. Her cookbook, “Silk Road Cooking: A Vegetarian Journey,” was published in 2006 and is still considered a valuable resource on Iranian cuisine. Thank you, Najmieh, for your contributions!

7. Norma Shirley

Norma Shirley was a Jamaican-American chef who popularized Jamaican cuisine in America through her restaurant and cookbooks. “Jamaican Cooking: Traditional Recipes and Herbs” was her first cookbook, published in 1990. It is still considered an authoritative resource on Jamaican cuisine.

This diversity is reflected in the author’s writing, which is inclusive and respectful of the different cultures and backgrounds represented in the book.

Well-Researched and Informative

The book is well-researched and provides a detailed account of the lives and achievements of these seven women. The author’s writing is engaging and informative, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the women’s lives and their contributions to American cuisine. The author also provides a historical context of the time period in which these women lived, which adds depth to the story and helps readers understand the challenges these women faced.

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of American cuisine and the contributions of immigrant women.