Food writing is stepping out," legendary food writer Ruth Reichl declares at the start of this, the inaugural edition of Best American Food Writing . "It's about time. . . Food is, in a very real sense, redesigning the world." Indeed, the twenty-eight pieces in this volume touch on every pillar of society: from the sense memories that connect a family through food, to the scientific tinkering that gives us new snacks to share, to the intersections of culinary culture with some of our most significant political issues. At times a celebration, at times a critique, at times a wondrous reverie, the Best American Food Writing 2018 is brimming with delights both circumspect and sensuous. Dig in!"

"A Mariner Original." Includes index.

Revenge of the lunch lady /Jane Black -- New York. Chicago. Detroit. Portland? Making the case for a new American pizza city / Karen Brooks -- Christina Tosi has a cookie / Mary H. K. Choi -- I've worked in food for twenty years. Now you finally care about female chefs / Amanda Cohen -- Secrets in the sauce / Lauren Collins -- On the Ibérico Trail / John T. Edge -- Bringing in the beans / Ted Genoways -- Is dinner for two worth $1,000? / Jane Black -- How Driscoll's reinvented the strawberry / Dana Goodyear -- Temples of the seasons / Alex Halberstadt -- The struggle of "eating well" when you're poor / Marissa Higgins -- The NBA's secret sandwich addiction / Baxter Holmes -- The white lies of craft culture / Lauren Michele Jackson -- Where's the beef / Beth Kowitt -- In God's hands / Francis Lam -- To wash or not to wash / Harold McGee -- Born in the USA : the rise and triumph of Asian-American cuisine / Ligaya Mishav -- Who owns Uncle Ben / Shane Mitchell -- Georgetown one stop / John O'Connor -- The country sausage that's going to town / Chris Offutt -- The teenage whaler's tale / Julia O'Malley -- The mad chese scientists fighting to save the dairy industry / Clint Rainey -- The joy of reading about cooking / Tejal Rao -- Oysters : a love story / Tejal Rao -- Mario Batali and the appetites of man / Helen Rosner -- Pawhuska or bust : a journey to the heart of pioneer woman country / Khushbu Shah -- The world's last great undiscovered cuisine / Anya Von Bremzen -- After oranges / Wyatt Williams.