Books in the The Meals Series series

This six-continent survey of the history, customs, and representations of the midday meal explains *who eats what for lunch; *where and when they eat it;*and what it means in the larger cultural context. The first international history of lunch, this book provides anecdotes and analysis that present lunch as a meaningful daily event.

Brunch is the decadent meal of the week; a mix of the savory and salty, sweet and indulgent. Not exclusively an American phenomenon, brunch is also shared in South Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Europe. This volume examines and explores how brunch has evolved historically, developed cross-culturally, and claimed its place in popular culture.

This book explores the history of Christmas food and feasting in the English-speaking world and tells the story of the evolution of our most cherished festive dishes, from their pagan past to the present. It details the rise of the turkey and ham, the history of our favorite desserts and sweet treats, and the grand tradition of Christmas imbibing.

Afternoon Tea focuses on the history and development of afternoon tea. While other books focus on etiquette, recipes, or a few notable figures, this book offers a more in-depth consideration of the meal by discussing its intersections with English colonialism, its changes over time, and its regional variations.

This first culinary history of picnics reveals rustic outdoor dining in its more familiar and unusual forms, the history of the word itself, the cultural context of picnics and who arranged them, and, most important, the gastronomic appeal. Drawing on various media and literature, painting, music, and even sculpture, Walter Levy provides an engaging and enlightening history of the picnic.

Barbecue: A History examines barbecue's history and place in American society using both historical and contemporary sources. The book examines all aspects of barbecue-both outdoor grilling and traditional slow cooking; restaurant and home cooking; international barbecue; specific foods; and the idea of the barbecue as a gathering.