Every year, alongside those other Best (fill-in-the-blank) Writing series -- you know the ones, they threaten every spare tree in the forest and crowd your nightstand, unread -- is one that I devotedly snatch up. The Best Food Writing was the first time I realized that there was such a thing as food writing, outside the obvious things like restaurant reviews and recipes. I picked the first up years ago in the airport on my way to Italy, and became so absorbed I nearly forgot I might die any moment in a fiery plane crash.
This year's food writing anthology came out last week. In it you'll find the usual suspects: Ruth Reichl, Colman Andrews, a rep from the New York Times (in this case, reviewer Frank Bruni) and many more. There are newspaper writers, food memoirists, magazine editors, published book authors and other writers both well-known in the food world, and not. I was surprised not to see Jeffrey Steingarten or Anthony Bourdain this year but maybe the editors figure they've gotten enough press.
New to this year's edition is a section on the Blogworld, with posts from six food bloggers all over the world. I'm not one to toot my own horn, but, hey, "TOOT TOOT!" One of my posts from April made the cut!
I haven't read the book yet -- I admit, I flipped to my part first to read and reread it, still sort of pinching myself to see my words in print -- but every year I devour the book and find myself learning something new, discovering a new food writer to enjoy or getting inspired to test out a new recipe. I hope you'll pick up a copy next time you're in the local bookstore and see what you can find.
Happy reading.
Congratulations, Catherine - that is really fantastic! I will definitely pick up a copy of the anthology.
Posted by: NS | October 19, 2005 at 11:11 AM
What fun to see yourself in print. I'll have to check the book out. Congrats!
Posted by: Tracy | October 19, 2005 at 11:15 AM
CONGRATS!!! Some serious luminaries on that list, my friend!
Posted by: Fatemeh | October 19, 2005 at 11:31 AM
wow! well done.
did you submit it for consideration or was it by random chance?
that is totally brilliant, Catherine, you star!
Posted by: sam | October 19, 2005 at 11:49 AM
NS, Tracy, Fatemeh -- Thanks for the congratulations. I'm tickled pink!
Sam -- I have NO IDEA how they found me. The back of the book says they do take suggestions but I didn't send them my way.
Posted by: Catherine | October 19, 2005 at 12:18 PM
oooh - that's just even more awesome. (And I don't use that word lightly). I am tickled pink for you!
Posted by: sam | October 19, 2005 at 01:28 PM
WOW! That is so awesome! Glad to see you get the recognition.
Posted by: Amy | October 19, 2005 at 04:20 PM
Sam -- merci, my dear.
Amy -- thanks. It's a total thrill.
Posted by: Catherine | October 19, 2005 at 04:40 PM
Catherine, that's amazing! You must be glowing with pride!
Posted by: Mina | October 20, 2005 at 04:33 AM
Mina -- it's better than eating a whole chocolate cake by myself!
Posted by: Catherine | October 20, 2005 at 08:13 AM
Hi Catherine
I tried to say congrats that is awesome!the other day but typepad was being mean :P
SO
CONGRATS! YOU ROCK :)
Posted by: clare eats | October 20, 2005 at 07:58 PM
Clare -- I know, Typepad is getting on my last nerve lately...grrr. Thanks for persevering!
Posted by: Catherine | October 21, 2005 at 08:45 AM
Here's to you, Catherine (raising a glass of something alcoholic)! Just the first of many times you'll see your food writing in print, I'm quite sure. :-)
Posted by: Robyn | October 21, 2005 at 07:27 PM
Robyn -- thank you (and no, I didn't miss the oh-so subtle nudge...)
Posted by: Catherine | October 22, 2005 at 08:41 AM
I am so excited for you!! what a terrific accomplishment-I can't wait to see it!
Posted by: mary | October 25, 2005 at 03:54 PM
Mar -- thanks! It should be at the big bookstores by now. Check out the back cover when you go (the only place my name appears)...
Posted by: Catherine | October 27, 2005 at 10:24 AM