This Month on the American Table:

From all of us at The American Table, happy Thanksgiving! Check out our Thanksgiving podcast interview with Virginia cattle farmer, Donna Grove.

You can also listen to the American Table Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe now

Other Posts and Articles From This Past Month:

LINKS I LIKE:

• "Trump's Tariffs, Lebanon Ceasefire, and Thanksgiving Dinner Price Tag"
  A podcast episode discussing the impact of political decisions, including tariffs, on the cost of Thanksgiving dinner in 2024.

  Reuters

• "We Have to Sign a 'Family Code of Conduct' and Agree to a Dress Code on Thanksgiving – or We Can't Eat Dinner"
  An exploration of how political and social dynamics influence family gatherings during Thanksgiving.

  New York Post

• "Bizarre Moment Joe Biden Runs Across White House Lawn & Apologizes to Crowd at His Last Turkey Pardoning in Office"
  Coverage of President Joe Biden's final turkey pardoning ceremony, highlighting the political tradition and its quirks.

  The Sun

• "Bidens Open Final White House Holiday Season with Turkey Pardons, Christmas Tree, and 'Friendsgiving'"
  An article detailing the Bidens' participation in Thanksgiving traditions, reflecting on the political significance of these events.

  Associated PressStories That Changed Lives- NewYork Times

• "How America Broke the Turkey"
  This article examines the industrialization of turkey farming in the U.S., highlighting the political and ethical implications of modern agricultural practices.

  Vox

Something Sweet

In the midst of Gaza's challenges, 10-year-old Renad Attallah has become a beacon of hope through her cooking videos. Despite the ongoing conflict, Renad shares her culinary creations on social media, bringing joy to her audience and showcasing her resilience. Her story has been featured in various media outlets, highlighting her determination to spread happiness amid adversity.

For a heartwarming glimpse into Renad's journey, you can watch this feature by Al Jazeera

Support The American Table: Your Paid Subscription Fuels Emmy Award-Winning Content

For just $10 a month or $90 a year, join The American Table and participate in a media revolution that explores the powerful intersections of politics, food, and culture. Your paid subscription directly supports our dedicated team based in New York, Washington DC, and Atlanta, allowing us to continue producing award-winning content that informs, inspires, and ignites meaningful conversations.

By subscribing, you ensure we can continue delivering integrity-first, honest, high-quality, in-depth stories, films, fun, exclusive interviews, and insightful analysis from all over America. Together, we can uncover the narratives that shape our society and celebrate the culinary traditions that connect us all.

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On Thursday night, Alice Waters received the prestigious Julia Child Award in Washington.

At age 80, her Berkley restaurant Chez Panisse is still thriving, and she’s still evangelizing about local, seasonal regenerative farming.  Read about her in our latest article from , titled “Vote With Our Forks!”

You can also listen to Annie’s full, unedited interview with Alice Waters on the American Table Podcast, available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Other Posts and Articles From This Past Month:

LINKS I LIKE:

• New York Times: Is Bone Broth Really Brimming With Health Benefits?

  It’s called “liquid gold” on TikTok. We asked experts if there’s any science behind the health claims..

• Washington Post: The vast divide between Republicans and Democrats over fast food.

  We scoured campaign finance reports to reveal strikingly partisan preferences for various restaurants, with few more polarizing than McDonald’s.

• The Atlanta Journal Constitution : Georgia won’t count ballots by hand on election night, judge rules.

  Judge McBurney rules last-minute hand count requirement could cause chaos

• The Financial Times: Has America lost its shame?

  The brazenness of US politicians in the face of scandals is a defining feature of the era

Something Sweet for Dessert:

Stories That Changed Lives- NewYork Times

For 20 years, Modern Love has recorded people’s lives. The column has also had real-life reverberations on readers.

Support The American Table: Your Paid Subscription Fuels Emmy Award-Winning Content

For just $5 a month or $50 a year, join The American Table and participate in a media revolution that explores the powerful intersections of politics, food, and culture. Your paid subscription directly supports our dedicated team based in New York, Washington DC, and Atlanta, allowing us to continue producing award-winning content that informs, inspires, and ignites meaningful conversations.

By subscribing, you ensure we can continue delivering integrity-first, honest, high-quality, in-depth stories, films, fun, exclusive interviews, and insightful analysis from all over America. Together, we can uncover the narratives that shape our society and celebrate the culinary traditions that connect us all.

Support The American Table today—because great stories deserve a great platform.

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This Month on the American Table:

We are fortunate to have veteran journalist join us with her first American Table interview. A story about the remarkable journey of Billy Shore and Debbie Shore and their journey to move from politics to helping solve the hunger crisis in America.

Read Annie’s article by clicking the link below!

You can also listen to Annie’s full, unedited interview with Billy Shore on the American Table Podcast, available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Listen to Billy's Podcast

And as a bonus, paid subscribers can enjoy access to Annie’s full interview with Debbie Shore as well!

Listen to Debbie's Podcast

Coming Later this Month…

Teaser Alert! Fresh off the Jimmy Kimmel show, an Exclusive Interview with Congressman Eric Swalwell.

Stay tuned for our next podcast episode coming Thursday, September 26th!

Other Posts and Articles From This Past Month:

My Current Media Diet:

Newspapers I’m Reading

• Financial Times : Why the “pink paper”? The FT began printing on pink paper in 1893 to differentiate itself from its main competitor, the Financial News, which was similarly named. To me, this paper stands alone in its scope of news coverage globally covering not only financial news but politics and cultural issues like food.

• Washington Post: The post is an institution in Washington as much as Congress and the President. Recently purchased by Jeff Bezos of Amazon, it still struggles to balance good, experienced journalism with cost cutting measures like many newspapers around the country. To me, it’s the direct source of news about politics that I value the most.

• The Atlanta Journal Constitution :(AJC) This is the voice of the south. With Atlanta becoming more politically important its journalism has taken on a broader more nationwide audience. This is also my hometown newspaper. Its not the New York Times, but it does an excellent job in accomplishing its mission to keep the people of Atlanta informed with a stong sence of integrity.

• New York Post : If you want to listen to what New Yorkers are saying, read the Post. Unlike the “Grey Lady” New York Times, the Post is the hometown newspaper. Every inch of New York is covered from the often sensationalized front page to a heathy does a “ politics and gossip” with Cindy Adams, and sports. Yes, a real sports section. For me its a little unorganized, messy but fun way to catch up with New York.

Links I Like

Its September! Here are a few links I’ve been loving:

When the temps drop, I think of baking. There is no better classic recipe than the Rustic Apple Tart from Jacques Pepin. Published in Food and Wine magazine, its one of my favorite recipes of all time. I use it year round with other types of fruit as well.

I love this amazing article in Saveur Magazine. Why Alice Waters Believes Gardening Can Save Our Democracy

The American Table Merch! We're excited to announce the launch of our new official merchandise store, offering a range of high-quality products that reflect the spirit of our platform.

Something Sweet for Dessert:

Feeding kids and supporting Billy and Debbies amazing organization “No Kid Hungry” Please support this amazing organization by clicking the link.

Support The American Table: Your Paid Subscription Fuels Emmy Award-Winning Content

For just $5 a month or $50 a year, join The American Table and participate in a media revolution that explores the powerful intersections of politics, food, and culture. Your paid subscription directly supports our dedicated team based in New York, Washington DC, and Atlanta, allowing us to continue producing award-winning content that informs, inspires, and ignites meaningful conversations.

By subscribing, you ensure we can continue delivering integrity-first, honest, high-quality, in-depth stories, films, fun, exclusive interviews, and insightful analysis from all over America. Together, we can uncover the narratives that shape our society and celebrate the culinary traditions that connect us all.

Support The American Table today—because great stories deserve a great platform.

Subscribe now

Our team Summer Travels: Food, Family and Laughs

Coming Later this Month…

Stay tuned for our next podcast episode coming Thursday, August 22nd!

In this episode, I sit dow in the legendary Mary Mac’s Tea Room in Atlanta to chat with Troy Thomas, president of Inertia Films. We discuss his love of history, his documentary Liberty and Slavery: The Paradox of America’s Founding Fathers and his company’s live shot van which allows politicians and high-ranking government officials from the Atlanta area to appear on live television right from their home.

Other Posts and Articles From This Past Month:

My Current Media Diet:

Books I’m Reading

• The Exchange by John Grisham- Great summer read. Its Grishams return to the sequal of the blockbuster book and film,The Firm after a fifteen year absence. The film featured Tom Cruise and was as global sensation. I encourage you to read The Exchange before the end of the summer. Warning, you will be on the edge of your seat at every turn.

• Democracy Awakening- : My admiration of Heather Cox Richardson started with her column, Letter from an American. An incredibly gifted writer and historian, she gives us a dose of her analysis as a historian married with events spanning history today. On a recent trip to Kramer Books in Washington DC, I found her book, Democracy Awakening, and I was hooked. She is an unapologetic fan of the President Biden and his policies.

Links I Like

Its Summer! Here are a few links I’ve been loving:

Lobster Sandwich by Chef . This is the sandwich of stars! Chef brings back this classic dish from his legendary California restaurant, Stars. I was thrilled the recipe and article in this months Food and Wine Magazine

Celebrating our love of Maine in the summer, this great article about restaurant Aragosta on Deer Island is sure to get you in the mood for the pure essence of Maine in the summer. Enjoy this great recipe: Lobster and Littleneck Clam Bake

Heading south, I found this great article in Garden and Gun magazine about Chef Zak Walters and his restaurant Sedalia’s. Written by food writer and historian , this Oklahoma City, this jewel of a restaurant blows him away with its roasted oysters, raw tuna and Duck liver pate’.

The American Table Official Merch! We're excited to announce the launch of our new official merchandise store, offering a range of high-quality products that reflect the spirit of our platform.

Something Sweet for Dessert:

Dylan’s, epic first trip to the Waffle House! That’s as good as it gets my friends!

Support The American Table: Your Paid Subscription Fuels Emmy Award-Winning Content

For just $5 a month or $50 a year, join The American Table and participate in a media revolution that explores the powerful intersections of politics, food, and culture. Your paid subscription directly supports our dedicated team based in New York, Washington DC, and Atlanta, allowing us to continue producing award-winning content that informs, inspires, and ignites meaningful conversations.

By subscribing, you ensure we can continue delivering integrity-first, honest, high-quality, in-depth stories, films, fun, exclusive interviews, and insightful analysis from all over America. Together, we can uncover the narratives that shape our society and celebrate the culinary traditions that connect us all.

Support The American Table today—because great stories deserve a great platform.

Subscribe now

On our most recent podcast episode, we were granted rare access and an exclusive interview with Blair House General Manager Matthew Wendel, and Executive Chef James Sinopoli.

Nestled in the heart of Washington, D.C., just steps away from the White House, lies Blair House, the President’s Guest House. Not open to the public, Blair House is known as the most exclusive guest house in the world. It serves as the official residence for visiting dignitaries and heads of state, providing a unique blend of historical charm and modern luxury.

Blair House is a symbol of American hospitality and diplomacy. Built in 1824 and acquired by the U.S. government in 1942, the house has welcomed countless international leaders, from Winston Churchill to Queen Elizabeth II. Its 119 rooms are meticulously maintained, offering a serene and secure environment for its distinguished guests.

Celebrating its 200th anniversary, Blair House continues to play a pivotal role in international diplomacy. It stands as a testament to the enduring relationships and shared values between the United States and its global partners. For those who have the privilege to stay, Blair House offers an unparalleled experience of luxury, history, and exceptional American hospitality.

You can listen to the interview in audio form via The American Table Podcast, available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Listen to the Podcast

Also, if you are a paid subscriber, you can enjoy access to both of the recipes from the episode as well as a bonus podcast with Matthew Wendel and Chef James Sinopoli! They participate in our lighting round of fun questions ranging from “What is your favorite music artist” to “burger or pizza.”

Waffle House

Waffle House has had another moment in the spotlight with President Biden visiting an Atlanta location after his debate with Donald Trump. Back in 2022 we considered creating a documentary about Waffle House and even created a concept reel as a pitch. You can watch both Biden’s visit and our documentary concept reel here.

Coming Later this Month…

Stay tuned for our next podcast episode coming Thursday, July 25th!

In this episode, I return to the Embassy of Norway to chat with Chef Chris about his experience cooking for the guests of the embassy. (We’ll also be sharing a a couple of his recipes straight from the embassy!)

Other Posts and Articles From This Past Month:

My Current Media Diet:

Books I’m Reading

• Dirt - Bill Buford: From Washington DC to Lyon, this chef was cooking at one of my favorite restuarants in Washington, Citronelle, and I likely ate his food. He dishes a little dirt along the way. Food coloring in Michele Richards kitchen?Thats culinary blasfmy! What does it take to master French cooking? But what was meant to be six months in a new and very foreign city turns into a wild five-year digression from normal life, as Buford apprentices at Lyon’s best boulangerie, studies at a legendary culinary school, and cooks at a storied Michelin-starred restaurant, where he discovers the exacting (and incomprehensibly punishing) rigueur of the professional kitchen.

• Notes from a Young Black Chef - Kwame Onwuachi: "Notes from a Young Black Chef" by Kwame Onwuachi is a tough but compelling read. The author recounts his heartbreaking journey of high-profile failures in both New York and Washington, D.C. By the age of twenty-seven, Onwuachi had opened—and subsequently closed—one of America's most talked-about restaurants. His story includes selling drugs in New York, being sent to rural Nigeria to “learn respect,” launching a catering company with twenty thousand dollars earned from selling candy on the subway, and starring on Top Chef. Well written by his writing partner Joshua Stein

• Potlicker Papers - John T. Edge: I can admire this writer from many different perspectives. First his voice, his writing is uniquely southern in a world of dissappearing dialects. I have often visited Oxford Missippippi , a picture perfect movie set of a small southern town. This book blends a guide to the culinary history of the south with the personal story of the writer. Ive enjoyed reading this book imensly.

• Democracy Awakening- : My admiration of Heather Cox Richardson started with her column, Letter from an American. An incredibly gifted writer and historian, she gives us a dose of her analysis as a historian married with events spanning history today. On a recent trip to Kramer Books in Washington DC, I found her book, Democracy Awakening, and I was hooked. She is an unapologetic fan of the President Biden and his policies.

Links I Like

Its Summer! Here are a few links I’ve been loving:

Private Chefs in the Hamptons- All the rage this summer.

I personally know this lobster shack in Nantucket very well. Always a summer favorite. Just before the harbor, Nantucket Lobster Trap

Where (and What) to Eat on Martha's Vineyard. Travel and Leisure has you covered in this updated list of the best restaurants on the vineyard. Always make reservations!

Summer on Sea Island - BBQ is calling your name at Southern Soul BBQ. A personal favorite for years. Next to the airport, in an old gas station, its BBQ heaven!

Something Sweet for Dessert: Rose’

Family and Friends in Barcelona at the Ritz Hotel- Summer at its best!

Support The American Table: Your Paid Subscription Fuels Award-Winning Content

This is one of my jobs, and I put a lot of work into it. I believe in the ethos of paying people for their work. If you get value out of our newsletter, articles, podcasts and other content, please consider a paid subscription.

By subscribing, you ensure we can continue delivering integrity-first, honest, high-quality, in-depth stories, films, fun, exclusive interviews, and insightful analysis from all over America. Together, we can uncover the narratives that shape our society and celebrate the culinary traditions that connect us all.

For just $5 a month or $50 a year, join The American Table and participate in a media revolution that explores the powerful intersections of politics, food, and culture. Your paid subscription directly supports our dedicated team based in New York, Washington DC, and Atlanta, allowing us to continue producing award-winning content that informs, inspires, and ignites meaningful conversations.

Support The American Table today—because great stories deserve a great platform.

Subscribe now

Our headline story for this month’s newsletter is our exclusive interview from last Thursday with Ambassador Anniken Krutnes of Norway. She has just a few weeks left of her assignment here in Washington, making this a very special and bittersweet conversation with a good friend.

We discuss the special friendship of President Roosevelt and Crown Princess Martha during WWII. We also touch on food, diplomacy, and the mission of the embassy and staff here in Washington. It's an engaging and thoughtful discussion that I’m sure you will enjoy.

You can listen to the interview in audio form via The American Table Podcast, available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, or read the transcript as an article available here.

Listen to the Podcast

Read the Interview Transcript

Also, if you are a paid subscriber, you can enjoy our bonus podcast with Ambassador Krutnes where she participates in a lighting round of fun questions ranging from “What is your favorite music artist” to “burger or pizza.”

Gaza

Throughout the month, I’ve posted several updates covering the developments related to the food crisis in Gaza. You can check them out here.

Coming Next Week…

Stay tuned for our next podcast episode coming next Thursday (June 27th)!

In this episode, I sit down with my dear friend, and social media rockstar Jamie Peva in Georgetown’s historic Martins Tavern for lunch and a discussion about the history of food and politics in Georgetown.

Other Posts and Articles From This Month:

My Current Media Diet:

Books I’m Reading

• Black, White, and Grey- Mashima Bailey & John O Morisano- As a Southerner and a boy from Georgia, I was intrigued by this unique story about an award-winning black chef, Mashima Bailey, and her business partner John O. Morisano, set in Savannah and Paris, two of my favorite cities in the world. Written in their own voice, it's about old-school back and white folks and how they struggled to build trust and build an incredible restaurant, The Grey, at the same time. I was at The Grey in December, and it is an extraordinary place.

• Table for Two—Amore Towles—I really liked his earlier book, A Gentleman in Moscow, and this did not disappoint. It's a good beach read. It's a collection of charming short stories, varied in tone and length. It's a solid book for the summer.

• The Sweet Life in Paris—David LeBovitz A friend gave me this book after returning from a trip to Paris, almost as a sign that Paris was calling me to visit again. This is very David, written in his own particular voice that only a chef of his experience could have, and that of a gay man transitioning his entire life from San Fransisco to Paris. Additionally, he includes some recipes. I have tried the Gateau Therese, a French chocolate cake.

• Democracy Awakening- Heather Cox Richardson My admiration of Heather Cox Richardson started with her column, Letter from an American. An incredibly gifted writer and historian, she gives us a dose of her analysis as a historian married with events spanning history today. On a recent trip to Kramer Books in Washington DC, I found her book, Democracy Awakening, and I was hooked. She is a unapologetic fan of the President Biden and his policies.

Links I Like

In anticipation for the 2024 Paris Olympics, here are a few Paris-related links I’ve been loving:

• France embraces 'leaf' over 'beef' at Paris Olympics 2024 - EuroNews.com

• The most beautiful cooking school in France! - The Cooks Atelier

• My favorite restaurant and cooking store guide/blog in Paris - La Cuisine Paris

• Baguette Scented Scratch-and-Sniff Stamps! - Food & Wine

Something Fun For Dessert!

I ran into this humorous story from The Washington Post about the woes of Spam lovers being stopped by TSA because their carry-on is overweight!

All the best,

- James Bell

Welcome to the first edition of The American Table! I'm excited to have you join us as we explore the fascinating intersections of politics, food, and power.

Mission:

This series delves deep into the stories behind the food we eat and the movements shaping our global society, offering a unique perspective on how culinary culture intersects with broader societal issues.

Free Subscriber Content:

• The American Table Podcast: Tune in as I meet with policymakers, chefs, and everyday people across America to discuss how food opens doors, sparks meaningful conversations, and has the power to change the world.

• Quick Recipes and Casual Cooking Videos: Enjoy easy-to-follow recipes and fun cooking videos that you can try at home.

• Short Posts: Stay updated with highlights and commentary on articles and stories about food and politics from around the web.

• Behind-the-Scenes Updates: Get sneak peeks at my upcoming film and documentary projects, offering a glimpse into the creative process and the stories we uncover.

Paid Subscriber Exclusives:

• The American Table Newsletter: Delivered right to your inbox once a month.

• In Depth Articles: Receive in-depth articles featuring guest writers from the political and food spectrum, including contributions from Politico, Axios, The Wall Street Journal, Eater, and more!

• Detailed Recipes: Access comprehensive recipes that dive deeper into culinary techniques and flavors.

• Bonus Podcast Episodes: Enjoy exclusive episodes with special guests and extended conversations.

• Exclusive Documentary and Film Projects: Gain access to all our original media, including award-winning documentaries, an upcoming animated short film, and our ongoing web series, “James Bell Kitchen Table,” where I cook with chefs from around the country and uncover their stories.

Thank you for reading The American Table!

Join the Conversation:

The American Table is a space for dialogue and discovery. We encourage our readers to engage with the content, share their experiences, and contribute to the ongoing conversation about food and power. Your insights and perspectives enrich our collective understanding.

About Me:

As a resident of Washington, DC, for over 30 years, I live at the intersection of politics, food, and power. I am in the middle of this incredible modern journey from the White House to Capitol Hill to Embassy Row. Food influences politics and policy decisions, creating great power around kitchen and dining room tables. Any great Georgetown or Kalorama hostess will tell you that in a minute.

I am a filmmaker and storyteller passionate about uncovering the deep connections between food, society, and politics. My Emmy-winning chef documentary series, James Bell Kitchen Table, chronicles a five-year journey of exploring the lives of chefs in America. My global award-winning, three-time Emmy-nominated film, A Moment In Time, chronicles the journey of two Michelin star chefs through COVID, January 6th, and Black Lives Matter protests in Washington, DC. Through my work, I strive to highlight the stories that often go untold, providing a platform for voices that shape our food systems and global movements.

Thank you for joining us at The American Table. Let's explore the powerful narratives that define our world and the food that connects us all.

Warm regards,

-James Bell