Kentuckians from frontiersmen to modern-day pastry chefs have put their marks on the state's baking history. Residents of the commonwealth have plenty of rich recipes and time-honored traditions, like pulling parties, where folks would gather to make taffy. Stack cakes originated from Appalachian weddings, where guests would each offer a layer of cake to the bride and groom, who then added the jam to hold the creation together. The decadent Modjeska confection gets its name from a Victorian-era candy maker's crush on a popular Polish actress. Join author Sarah Baird on a whirlwind trip--complete with recipes--that examines the delectable history of unique Kentucky treats from pawpaws to chocolate gravy..

When people think of Kentucky, three things usually come to mind: bourbon, Colonel Sanders's secret chicken recipe, and the glamorous Kentucky Derby. Add college basketball to that list, and you have yourself a superfecta. Looking beyond these time-honored traditions, however, visitors will find in Kentucky a diverse patchwork of faces and places, each as unique as the state's geography. Kentucky, Y'all: A Celebration of the People and Culture of the Bluegrass State is an entertaining and informative compilation of the state's favorite oddities, cultural quirks, traditions, and rites of passage. Authors and proud Kentuckians Blair Thomas Hess and Cameron M. Ludwick share the best stories from their experiences as writers, travelers, and residents in this ode to the Commonwealth. From the iconic to the obscure, the book reveals vital knowledge that every Kentuckian—whether by birth, residence, or simply in mind and heart—should know. What is beer cheese? Who was Bill Monroe? Where can you get a hemp hot dog? Readers are introduced to the brilliant minds behind the Louisville Slugger, the Bowie knife, and pioneering work in genetics. The book also includes a handy list of dos and don'ts of tailgating, a Kentucky sayings glossary, and bucket lists of things to do, drink, read, and eat. Featuring hand-drawn illustrations that represent life, fashion, and entertainment in the Commonwealth, Kentucky, Y'all is an insightful and exuberant guide to the Bluegrass State—for Kentucky natives and visitors alike.

“With this fun book, your stomach and imagination take a road trip through some classic and iconic Kentucky foods” with the authors of The State of Bourbon (Maggie Green, author of The Kentucky Fresh Cookbook). There’s nothing worse than pulling off the road for a tasty bite and being confronted with an unappetizing meal instead. Veteran road trippers and Kentucky natives Cameron Ludwick and Blair Thomas Hess are on a mission to help you ditch the dives. They have traveled the state and mapped out the best local foods, festivals, and flavors. From their trek to the Beer Cheese Festival in Winchester to the Hot Brown Hop in Louisville, these gals know the best places to eat and want to take you along for the ride in Famous Kentucky Flavors. Along the way, you’ll visit all the classics and will also be introduced to some more unusual fare, including lamb fries, Benedictine spread, and barbecued mutton. Plan your own lip-smacking road trip from bourbon balls to burgoo with Famous Kentucky Flavors. “Cameron Ludwick and Blair Thomas Hess have provided the perfect primer for the gastronomic wealth of the Commonwealth. Their book is a must read for anyone interested in Kentucky food and beverage tourism.” —Albert W. A. Schmid, author of The Kentucky Bourbon Cookbook

A guide to the odd and interesting history, places, and people in Kentucky.

The story of African Americans in Kentucky is as diverse and vibrant as the state's general history. The work of more than 150 writers, The Kentucky African American Encyclopedia is an essential guide to the black experience in the Commonwealth. The encyclopedia includes biographical sketches of politicians and community leaders as well as pioneers in art, science, and industry. Kentucky's impact on the national scene is registered in an array of notable figures, such as writers William Wells Brown and bell hooks, reformers Bessie Lucas Allen and Shelby Lanier Jr., sports icons Muhammad Ali and Isaac Murphy, civil rights leaders Whitney Young Jr. and Georgia Powers, and entertainers Ernest Hogan, Helen Humes, and the Nappy Roots. Featuring entries on the individuals, events, places, organizations, movements, and institutions that have shaped the state's history since its origins, the volume also includes topical essays on the civil rights movement, Eastern Kentucky coalfields, business, education, and women. For researchers, students, and all who cherish local history, The Kentucky African American Encyclopedia is an indispensable reference that highlights the diversity of the state's culture and history.

The business of candy making is not always, well, sweet, but often highly secretive and competitive. Read the fascinating stories of Milton Hershey, Forrest Mars, and Ellen Gordon (Tootsie Rolls) and their candy companies. Other business leaders who treated customers are also featured, including William Wrigley (chewing gum), Wally Amos (Famous Amos cookies), and Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield of ice cream fame.

Crammed with surprising ideas for treats that are both fun and easy, the wildly popular brand's second cookbook features 100 recipes: new classics and reader favorites that have been shared hundreds of thousands of times.