Includes index.

"From the Smithsonian Institution, the real story of the American table in a collection of snapshots, stories, and recipes from the pre-colonial era through today, including the people and events that have often been left out. In this exploration of the American table, the Smithsonian Institution presents a fresh look at what and how we've fed ourselves, for sustenance and for pleasure, through the lens of location, immigration, ingenuity, innovation, and culture. With an emphasis on the people, events, and movements that have been left out of the dominant story, this inclusive, enlightening, and entertaining collection uncovers a real look at American food, from the story of a barrier-breaking Black female chef in Jim Crow-era New Orleans, to the technology behind a French fry that stays crispy for up to 60 minutes."-- Provided by publisher.