Table Talk

The US is, of course, a huge player in the food industry and its influences are felt far and wide. From agricultural production, to processing, to fast food chains and advertising. And it’s home to some of the biggest food companies in the world. But is there such a thing as a defined American cuisine? Is it new world ingredients like corn, squash and beans, fast-food foods such as hamburgers, hotdogs and fries? Of course it is more than that, but how do you define it? Can it be defined? In such a vast country, both in terms of area and population, is there one dish that everyone identifies with? Paul Freedman is an expert on the subject and tells the Food Matters Live Podcast there are three elements to US food; Regional, Modern Industrial Food, and Variety. Listen to the full episode to hear about the different dishes that play a major role in the eating habits of Americans, why how and where you eat can be just as important as what you eat, and the important role of race and gender in def