{"product_id":"kitchens-of-the-great-midwest-9780143109419","title":"Kitchens of the Great Midwest","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"A sweet and savory treat.\" --\u003ci\u003ePeople\u003c\/i\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"An impressive feat of narrative jujitsu . . . that keeps readers turning the pages too fast to realize just how ingenious they are.\"--\u003ci\u003eThe New York Times Book Review\u003c\/i\u003e, Editor's Pick\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrom the \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eThe Lager Queen of Minnesota, Kitchens of the Great Midwest \u003c\/i\u003eis a novel about a young woman with a once-in-a-generation palate who becomes the iconic chef behind the country's most coveted dinner reservation. \u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e 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 pur ed 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e 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, \u003ci\u003eKitchens of the Great Midwest\u003c\/i\u003e 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eJ. Ryan Stradal \u003c\/b\u003eis the author of \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestseller \u003ci\u003eKitchens of the Great Midwest\u003c\/i\u003e and national bestsellers \u003ci\u003eThe Lager Queen of Minnesota \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003e\u003ci\u003eSaturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e. His writing has appeared in \u003ci\u003eThe Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, Granta, The Rumpus, \u003c\/i\u003e and the \u003ci\u003eLos Angeles Review of Books\u003c\/i\u003e. His debut, \u003ci\u003eKitchens of the Great Midwest, \u003c\/i\u003e won the American Booksellers Association Indie's Choice Award for Adult Debut Book of the Year. His most recent novel, \u003ci\u003eSaturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club\u003c\/i\u003e, was published in 2023. Born and raised in Minnesota, he now lives in California with his family.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Penguin Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50598866419986,"sku":"9780143109419","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_4ba98b0f-1040-4ad1-a7d8-160ce3946cd3.jpg?v=1732192930","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/kitchens-of-the-great-midwest-9780143109419","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}