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B. Smith launches 'B. Smith Cooks Southern-Style'
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B. Smith, the high priestess of entertaining and style, launches a new cookbook, “B. Smith Cooks Southern Style,” available in bookstores on November 3, 2009. Publishers Weekly offered the following review:
“Southern cooking—both contemporary and traditional—may be having its moment, and it gets a friendly cookbook treatment from a celebrated African-American lifestyle restaurateur. While Smith has authored two books on entertaining and operated her iconic B. Smith restaurants in New York; Washington, D.C.; and Long Island for years, she actually considers this her cookbook debut, which she says, was inspired by her desire to share her love of Southern food while giving it an update. Chapters follow traditional categories such as brunch, appetizers, meat and so on. Interspersing recipes with facts about their historical or personal origin, Smith introduces readers to the nuances of the region’s cuisine, from Carolina low country’s shrimp and grits to the Cajun maque choux of Louisiana. (For any readers who ever wanted to attempt turducken at home, Smith has a multipage explication.) The contemporary spin comes in the form of eggplant fries with tomato truffle ketchup, sweet potato salad with orange-maple dressing, and chocolate chip dessert sliders. Where possible, she has substituted healthier renditions, eliminating fatty meats or reducing sugar. Smith tops it off with a chapter devoted to beverages, including a number of interesting cocktails (pistachio margarita-tini and strawberry sangria with rose geranium), which, in keeping with her home-entertaining pedigree, will get the party started. Throughout, Smith remains an affable host, keeping the proceedings accessible and fun”.
About B. Smith
B. Smith is a pioneer in the lifestyle category whose talents and expertise span a wide range of specialties.
A native of Pennsylvania, B. (Barbara) Smith began her career as a fashion model, going on to grace the covers of 15 magazines including Mademoiselle, becoming the first African-American woman on its cover in July 1976. A respected expert in affordable-yet-elegant living, B. Smith brings style to everything she does.
Recognized by Elle Décor as one of America’s ten most outstanding non-professional chefs, Smith is the owner of three successful B. Smith restaurants - on Restaurant Row in New York City, the scenic Long Island Hampton village of Sag Harbor, and locally in the historic Union Station in Washington, D.C.
In addition to “B. Smith Cooks Southern Style”, Smith is the author of two tabletop books on entertaining. Her first book, "B. Smith's Entertaining and Cooking for Friends", was published by Artisan Publishing in 1995 and advises readers on various methods of entertaining. Unprecedented demand resulted in a second printing of the book after it was on the market for only eight weeks.
In October 1999, B. Smith released her second book “B. Smith Rituals & Celebrations”, published by Random House. This uniquely creative composition of various rituals and celebrations provides readers with a historical perspective, original recipe suggestions, and other festive information. Rituals and Celebrations was nominated for a James Beard Award, won a literary award from the American Library Association and was recognized by Food and Wine Magazine "Best of the Best" Book Award in 1999.
Praise for B. Smith
"B. Smith's goal is to get you looking good and having fun." The New York Times Magazine
"Ms. Smith has surfaced as one of the most formidable rivals of Martha Stewart." The Wall Street Journal
"B. Smith's unique sense of style jumps off every page of this wonderful new book. Rituals & Celebrations is full of original ideas on food and entertaining that will undoubtedly make your next celebration a memorable event." Bobby Flay, celebrity chef and restaurateur
"Rituals & Celebrations incorporates B. Smith's grace and charm and is a must-have encyclopedia of fine dining and entertaining for all occasions." Sylvia Woods, owner, Sylvia's Restaurant
If you’re not already familiar with B. Smith, perhaps you should be.
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