Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Great food writing moments @LucyBurdette



LUCY BURDETTE:  I finished the draft of The Key Lime Crime two weeks ago and sent it in--always a wonderful moment! I know I will have revising to do and I knew ahead of time that there were a few things that needed to be tweaked or added, including a few of the quotes that I use at the beginning of each chapter. I’m not sure why or how I got launched this custom, but as I think about a story for food critic mystery number 11, there’s no turning back. 

In the first book, I used quotes that could be easily brought up by a Google search or a call for help on Facebook. I started with more standard citations that would be familiar to many people, for example Miss Piggy’s famous “don’t eat more than you can lift.” But then the more I read, the more possibilities I found. I tried to tailor each quote to fit the action and the characters in each chapter–foreshadow what’s to come in many cases. And I came across gems like this one from Dwight Garner: “It is possible to imagine him having a small meal of minor critics for breakfast, as if they were kippers…” 

Since then, I’ve been looking for foodie references in everything I read. Some of the novels and articles are about food, so it should be pretty easy to find meaningful quotes on their pages. But I’m noticing that not everybody either wants to or can write about food in more than a surface manner. And some folks who are not food writers at all, knock my socks off  with the way they use food/eating references to develop character and tension. Let’s face it, even if food references were strictly about food, I’d love them. But I love food references even more when they have a deeper meaning.

I thought it might be fun to share some of my favorites…


The stainless steel kettle reminds me of Claire: polished to a gleam on the outside, boiling within. Ann Mah, Kitchen Chinese

But up front, next to the desk where the hosts have mastered the art of checking reservations without making eye contact, is a café/wine bar. A glass case there serves as a temporary prison for aging pastries and tragic snacks. Pete Wells, What if Brexit were a restaurant? The New York Times, December 19, 2018

When I write about a line cook’s bad night, it’s not just about a bad night, it’s about not being good enough, period, about personal shame and failure. Michael Ruhlman

He was holding the cardboard cup in his vest and she thought the tension would make him squeeze it and spill the tea all over the table. Ann Cleeves, Wild Fire

Then she also read Sirine’s coffee grounds and said she could see the signs written in the black coffee traces along the milky porcelain: sharp knife, quick hands, white apron, and the sadness of a chef. “Chefs know—nothing lasts,” she told Sirine. “In the mouth, then gone.” Diana Abu-Jaber, Crescent

The soup course was a clear lemony broth dotted with parsley and scrolls of spring onion. It filled the air with a sunny fragrance, and I thought the cook was a genius to make such a dish on so dark a day. Barbara O’Neal, The Art of Inheriting Secrets

You think someone killed her to keep her quiet? Vera licked her fingers to pick up the crumbs from her plate and the surrounding table. Ann Cleeves, Silent Voices

His voice, as one fan wrote in a YouTube comment, sounds like what melted chocolate tastes like. Maureen Dowd, Tom Ford, Fragrant Vegan Vampire. The New York Times, April 20, 2019

But keeping people active at a wake was essential. Being busy, like working, allayed grief. By splitting cakes and heaping on berries and cream, the mourners could start to get their minds off death. Diane Mott Davidson, Catering to Nobody

I love you, Elizabeth said, and I started to cry. In the oven, the chocolate soufflé began to burn. Vanessa Diffenbaugh, The Language of Flowers

Mr. Scott was a pale, thin man. A stick of forced rhubarb said Sally’s mother, who had seen him at a parents meeting. Ann Cleeves, Raven Black

Do you notice food references as you read? any that you remember especially enjoying?

And ps, there's a hint in the above list about tomorrow's guest...I bet you mystery and thriller aficionados can figure it out...

57 comments:

  1. Sometimes food references in books jump out at me, like this one from Laura Esquirel’s “Like Water for Chocolate”:
    The anger she felt within her ached like yeast on bread dough.

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  2. I've got to admit, I rarely notice food references in books as I'm reading. At least not the type of quotes you pull for your chapter titles. I know that's got to be a lot of extra work for you, but I always enjoy reading them.

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    1. Thanks Mark. It's like a treasure hunt for me by now, so lots of fun!

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  3. I love reading about what people are eating in the stories I read. I'm reading Rhys' Love and Death Among the Cheetahs right now, and I was fascinated by Georgie's and Darcy's plane trip to Kenya, how delicious food was served in the early days of commercial flight. On the first leg of the trip, comes the following description. "A late lunch was served--smoked salmon and then some sort of fish in a cream sauce, followed by strawberries and cream, biscuits and cheese, then coffee." Of course, after arriving in Kenya (and the stops along the way), it was sometimes better not to ask what was being served.

    And, Lucy, I am always thrilled by the Key West books' foods, both the different restaurants and Haley's cooking, too. It's especially fun when I've been to one of the restaurants you mention, but I really need to go back and catch up with places I haven't eaten now.

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    1. Isn't that amazing Kathy, that menu? I can bet Rhys did the research to be sure it's accurate too. Hope you do get back down soon so we can have lunch...

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    2. I am impressed by all the research you authors do, Lucy, and I do appreciate your research on those quotes, which I do read and enjoy. Lunch would be great!

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  4. I notice food references sometimes, although I'm sure many others have escaped my attention. Love some of the quotes you pulled.

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  5. These are great, Roberta. In my foodie series, I try to work food references into descriptions. Can't wait for the next Key West book - and tomorrow's guest. I hope it's who I think it is!

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    1. Edith, send me a few of your favorite lines from your books so I can use one next time?

      I'm super excited about tomorrow...:)

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    2. Eek. I hope you're not disappointed...

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  6. I notice food descriptions, although none come to mind. LIke your quotes show, food can play many roles in a story--help develop or reveal character, tie into a specific period of time and/or place, advance the action, or all of the above at once :)

    Always enjoy the Key West food descriptions--makes me want to visit!

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    1. Exactly Flora--there's a big difference between describing a meal and making that description work in all those other ways. It's quite a talent.

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  7. I do notice food references, although none come to mind right now (too early, not enough caffeine). The ones above are great.

    And I think I caught the hint about tomorrow's guest. :)

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  8. "Today she had brought home flapjacks, a Victoria sponge, and something labeled as a 'traybake fluffle slice.' Crystal couldn't even begin to imagine what that might be...Whatever it was, it looked figging awful."
    Kate Atkinson, Big Sky

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    1. Now I may have to Google what a traybake fluffle slice is! thanks Margaret

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  9. I enjoy a good food reference, though none are immediately coming to mind for me. I especially like the Ann Mah quote above!

    I'm intrigued about the hint. I couldn't help but notice that you quoted Ann Cleeves numerous times. (Not surprising, given what a gifted writer she is!) I would be THRILLED if she were visiting tomorrow. Hmm...she does have a new series starting......

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  10. Are we all here guessing like mad? I sure am and my fingers are crossed!
    Sometimes I do notice food references but of course I cannot think of any now. I'll have to start writing them down so the next time you ask I will be ready. I especially enjoy when reading yours that it is one I recognize.

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    1. And feel free to send them to me any time you spot them Judi, I'm always looking.

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  11. I adore the quotes at the beginning of your chapters! It's always quite an eclectic mix which I love.

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    1. thanks Abby, I keep everything I see in a big file and then I can pick and choose when the time comes

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  12. If the guest is who I think it is, I'm beside myself waiting for tomorrow!

    Favorite quotes about food:

    “Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down in the most delightful way.” – Mary Poppins

    “Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first.” – Ernestine Ulmer

    And this one, maybe the best of all, from "When Harry Met Sally"

    "I'll have what she's having." -- thank you Hallie's sister --

    Next time I go upstairs, I'll have another look in "A Bitter Feast" because it is full of great food quotes, but I need to get them word perfect. My memory is like a sieve.


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    1. Great ones, thanks Ann!! I am waiting to read A BITTER FEAST so I can build up anticipation. But Hallie too reported that the food writing is wonderful!

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    2. Trying to think of some good lines, but will have to get out the book!

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  13. I love food references - they give an extra layer of pleasure to Deb’s A Bitter Feast

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    1. Thanks, Hallie. I had such fun writing it. I've kept almost all of my research books, too.

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  14. I can't think of a single food reference. I really must slow down while reading and savory the meal being presented.

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  15. What a fun morning read! Thank you, Roberta. And to all the other clever readers, I'm going to go fix myself breakfast. I'm hungry!

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    1. Hope you find something delicious! This is always the drawback of reading and writing about food – the onset of hunger

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  16. Wonderful post. I remember wanting to have custard after reading Winnie the Pooh when I was a kid. It is fun to read a novel and see food references. I cannot recall the last novel I read with food references, since I have been reading many books recently.

    Diana

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    1. I don’t remember Pooh’s custard, but I definitely remember the food in the wind in the willows. They were always having wonderful picnics by the river!

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  17. Knowing there are many food references in Louise Penny's books, I picked one : Bury your Dead and found two in the first 30 pages.
    In the first : Gamache offers a licorice pipe to a man reading across him at the Literary and Historical Society
    "licorice ?" The man looked up at Gamache then down at the offering. " Are you offering candy to a stranger ? Hope
    I won't have to call the police ."
    The second :... slowly straightening he looked right at Gamache. He stared for ten seconds or more, which, when eating chocolate cake isn't much, but when staring, is.
    I don't remember the references for long but I certainly enjoy them when reading

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    1. Those are wonderful! Thank you Danielle I will put them on my list

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  18. Lucy, I loved this post! I love your food quotes at the beginnings of chapters, and I'm always making notes of things I want to read that you've mentioned. I haven't read Ann Mah's Kitchen Chinese, so putting that one on my list. I just loaned The Lost Vintage to a friend who works at Trader Joe's and is studying to be a sommelier.

    So excited about our mystery guest tomorrow:-)

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    1. Thanks Debs! I am dying for Ann Mah to release another novel as I so enjoyed The Lost Vintage. You will see how much she's grown as a novelist if you go back to read Kitchen Chinese.

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  19. "The March Hare took the watch and looked at it gloomily: then he dipped it into his cup of tea, and looked at it again: but he could think of nothing better to say than his first remark, "It was the best butter, you know" Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

    "He looked down at his coffee-stained yellow polo shirt and now-lidless venti, then bent still farther down to see the coffee (he took it black, Emily noticed) pooling in the toe well of his butterscotch leather loafers." Careful What you Wish For. Ephron

    She'd fermented cabbage with radishes, and cauliflower with haricots vert and carrots. The spice mixtures were not as hot as the traditional kimchee --a concession to the bland English palate -- but still had a good bit of pop. The spicy, crunchy veg made a perfect counterpoint to the soft creaminess of the smoked lamb and beans" A Bitter Feast. Crombie

    Love food, love reading about food, and especially love reading Haley's thoughts about Floridian cuisine. Thanks Lucy/Roberta for giving me new cooking ideas.

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    1. You're very welcome, and thank you Coralee for these terrific additions to my list!

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  20. This is so thought-provoking! I am going to go back over my new manuscript and make sure I do food proud! Thank you, dear Roberta! This is perfect.

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    1. Of course the food has to suit the characters, and yours are often too busy to eat, Hank. LOL

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  21. Humpty Dumpty - how did we know he was an egg? LOL

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  22. I don't think I've ever noticed a food reference when reading, but I am betting I will now. Thanks, Roberta, this is going to raise my food game.

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  23. Some years back I read through all the Dorothy Sayers' Peter Wimsey books.
    They inspired me to go to the kitchen and, at least, make a cup of tea.
    Lord Peter referred to a "claret coloured frock" at one point (I don't remember what story). That so impressed my husband and me that we went out to find just such a dress for me! And we succeeded.

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  24. I do love your food quotes, Roberta! I can't think of specifics but I do know all the food in Three Pines is pure magic. Oh, do you remember the series with the police detective who made fantastic sandwiches and ate them over the kitchen sink? Had to look it up. Edward X. Delaney by Lawrence Sanders. Wonderful sandwiches paired with beer.

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    1. I don't think I've ever read any of that series, but I will remedy that. It's so perfect to have the guy make wonderful food and eat it over the sink

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    2. The early Robert Parker books--Spenser was always making something to eat or eating out and describing the food.

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  25. These are amazing, Roberta, and Ann Cleeves is a writing goddess.

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  26. I, of course, ALWAYS notice food references, and am impressed and happy when the writer clearly does know his or her way around a kitchen or hot line. (And you, ma cherie, certainly fit in that category!) Some other favorites: Yes, The Wind in the Willows, the mushrooms in The Fellowship of the Ring, Ruth Reichl (of course), the crumpets dripping with butter in The Importance of Being Earnest.

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    1. Leslie, the mushroom scene is possibly my favorite scene in the Lord of the Rings!

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