Joys of the Table

The joys of the table belong equally to all ages, conditions, countries and times; they mix with all other pleasures,
and remain the last to console us for their loss.—Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin

“Food is our common ground, a universal experience,” wrote gastronomist and cookbook author James Beard. No matter the distance or language or years that divide us, eating is an experience we all share. Joys of the Table explores the many facets of our complex relationships with food, from our fondest kitchen memories to ways we express our love through food, from a child’s hunger to a holiday celebration, from lighthearted menus to intimations of our final meals. Virginia poet Sally Zakariya has gathered almost 100 poems from 75 poets for this anthology. The result is a rich poetic feast, sprinkled with occasional recipes from the poets themselves, a delicious dish for food-lovers and verse-lovers alike.