The Splendid Table: Conversations & Recipes For Curious Cooks & Eaters 839: A Journey Through Southern Food with Michael W. Twitty and Deb Freeman
Dec 5, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Michael W. Twitty, a culinary historian renowned for exploring the roots of Southern food, delves into his new book, highlighting the diverse influences shaping the region's cuisine. From indigenous corn dishes to unique fusion recipes like Chinese Mississippi collards, he reveals the rich tapestry of Southern flavors. Deb Freeman, filmmaker of the documentary on Edna Lewis, shares insights on Lewis's revolutionary impact on American food and her farm-to-table legacy, emphasizing the importance of cultural roots in Southern cooking.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Southern Discomfort Pilgrimage
- Michael W. Twitty described his Southern Discomfort Tour as a pilgrimage to trace food and family roots across the South.
- He recounts visiting Mexican immigrant communities and midnight sorghum-making that reshaped his view of Southern identity.
The South Is Ancestral And Global
- Twitty connects Southern food to its global ancestors in West Africa, Britain, Ireland, and Indigenous cultures.
- He argues the South is a product of these ancestors, not an isolated invention.
Virginia As Culinary Mother State
- Twitty positions Virginia as a foundational source for many Southern foods and migrations.
- He traces how Virginian food traditions spread and adapted as families moved westward.
