General Recommendations
Staff-Created List

Winter Reading Challenge 2026: Explore the World through Food

These ten titles will take you around the world as you read about tradition, hidden gems, and the authors own experiences chasing the best eats the world has to offer. List created by Emily from the Antioch Branch and LynnDee in the Reader Engagement Department.

10 items

World Travel
An Irreverent Guide
Bourdain, Anthony
A food-obessed travel guide based on conersations with the late chef and world-traveler, Anthony Bourdain.
Book, 2021New York, NY : Ecco, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, [2021] — 910.4 B666W
America's Test Kitchen. Tasting Italy
a Culinary Journey
Experts from America's Test Kitchen and National Geographic take readers on a journey through Italy's magnificent cuisine, culture and landscapes in this captivating illustrated guide. Features 100 recipes, 300 gorgeous color photographs and 30…
Book, 2018Washington, D.C. : National Geographic, [2018] — 641.5945 AM35
Gastro Obscura
a Food Adventurer's Guide
Wong, Cecily,
Gastro Obscura will take you on a culinary adventure around the world. Includes stories of science, history, art and traditions.
Book, 2021New York : Workman Publishing, 2021. — 641.3 W846
See You in the Piazza
New Places to Discover in Italy
Mayes, Frances
"Reading this book is a vacation in itself."--The New York Times Book Review. Mayes takes readers through thirteen regions of Italy, highlighting gems left out of other guide books.
Book, 2019New York : Crown, [2019] — 945 M453
Buttermilk Graffiti
a Chef's Journey to Discover America's New Melting-pot Cuisine
Lee, Edward, 1972-
In this memoir, the author details his two-year journey around the United States learning about the different cultures and traditions that are reshaping American cuisine.
Book, 2018New York : Artisan, [2018] — 641.59 L511
Gordon Ramsay's Uncharted
a Culinary Adventure With Recipes From Around the Globe
Ramsay, Gordon,
The famed chef travels the world to brings readers 75 recipes and insights into a variety of cultures.
Book, 2023Washington, DC : National Geographic, [2023] — 641.59 R148G
50 States, 1,000 Eats
Where to Go, When to Go, What to Eat, What to Drink
Discover the best food experiences across all 50 states and Canada in this culinary guide.
Book, 2024Washington, D.C. : National Geographic, [2024] — 917.3 N2133 2024
Mi Cocina
Recipes and Rapture From My Kitchen in México
Martínez, Rick (Chef),
Food writer Martinez takes readers on a culinary journey across the 7 regions in Mexico through 100 unique dishes in this captivating cookbook.
Book, 2022New York City : Clarkson Potter, 2022. — 641.5972 M3662
Sweet Spot
An Ice Cream Binge Across America
Ettinger, Amy,
Sweet Spot dives into the history of frozen treats as Ettinger journeys across America to find the best artisanal ice cream.
Book, 2017New York, New York : Dutton, [2017] — 641.862 ET75
Taste of Persia
a Cook's Travels Through Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, and Kurdistan
Duguid, Naomi,
Taste of Persia is part cookbook, part travelogue through diverse religions, cultures, languages, and politics.
Book, 2016New York : Artisan, [2016] — 641.591 D879

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