New Book In Progress Searches for the Best of American Culinary Style

"Above the Fruited Plain..." is not so much a "cookbook" than it is a lively commentary on what Americans consider their finest contributions to world cuisine.

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

JANUARY 5, 2002 -- If the arms race suddenly gave way to the food race, which modern meals would best represent the United States? Writer Kristi Siegel is in search of the meals that flavor a nation. Macaroni & cheese, roast turkey, Cincinnati chili and an amazing take on the grilled cheese sandwich: they're examples of American foodstuffs in Above the Fruited Plain: America's Best-Loved Meals, a work that is currently in progress and welcoming contributors.

Looking for uniquely American meals that our nation knows and loves, Siegel has corresponded with hundreds of ordinary citizens, not haute gourmands or even television chefs, but the people that make a living -- and live to eat -- the foods that bind a nation together through mutual understanding: cafeteria chefs, housewives, church pot-luck folk, diner owners, coffeehouse waitresses, southerners, mountaineers, Yankees and midwesterners. The history behind many regional specialties and personal insights to some favorite foods will be cornerstones of the book's content.

Siegel is still looking for contributors to Above the Fruited Plain. Anyone is welcome to submit their vote and/or recipe for the very best dessert, main dish, side, comfort or fun food. All submissions will be considered for inclusion in the book. Recent contributors include Cheri Sicard of Fabulous Foods, Jerry Berta of Rosie's Diner, and TexasCooking.com.

"Above the Fruited Plain...nurtures the assumption that our American diet with its rich, varied selections, is one of the most colorful in the world," said Ms. Siegel. "I think we in America are happiest eating what we are most comfortable with: foods of our own, plain concotion. The fabric of a nation lies in its rich resources and how creatively they are harvested."

For more information, please contact Kristi Siegel at fruitedplain2000@hotmail.com, or visit the Web site at http://fruitedplain.netfirms.com

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