The American Cookbook in Theory and Practice

This advanced seminar and food-writing workshop focuses on the in-depth study of archival American cookbooks and the production of an original cookbook as the final project. Designed for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, the course emphasizes in-depth research, recipe development, and food writing. Each student will produce four well-researched, kitchen-tested recipes with accompanying headnotes based on fieldwork (e.g., interviews, archival research at Wilson Library). Students will also write an extensive introduction and include visual elements such as photographs or illustrations. Weekly seminar sessions will explore fieldwork methods, recipe writing, and narrative techniques, with peer feedback and practical food writing exercises.