John T. Edge

File:John T. Edge

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John T. Edge is an American food writer, commentator, and director of the Southern Foodways Alliance (SFA). He is known for his extensive work in documenting and celebrating the diverse food cultures of the American South.

Early Life and Education

John T. Edge was born in Clinton, Georgia. He developed an interest in food and culture from a young age. Edge attended the University of Georgia, where he earned a bachelor's degree in journalism. He later pursued a master's degree in Southern Studies from the University of Mississippi.

Career

Edge began his career as a food writer in the 1990s. He has contributed to various publications, including The New York Times, Garden & Gun, and Oxford American. His writing often focuses on the intersection of food, culture, and history in the American South.

In 1999, Edge became the director of the Southern Foodways Alliance, an institute of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at the University of Mississippi. Under his leadership, the SFA has grown into a prominent organization dedicated to documenting, studying, and celebrating the food cultures of the American South through oral histories, films, and events.

Publications

Edge has authored several books on Southern food culture, including:

• A Gracious Plenty: Recipes and Recollections from the American South
• Fried Chicken: An American Story
• The Potlikker Papers: A Food History of the Modern South

His books have been praised for their in-depth research and engaging storytelling, shedding light on the rich culinary traditions of the South.

Awards and Recognition

John T. Edge has received numerous awards for his contributions to food writing and cultural documentation. He has been a finalist for the James Beard Foundation Awards multiple times and has won the M.F.K. Fisher Distinguished Writing Award.

Personal Life

Edge resides in Oxford, Mississippi, with his family. He continues to write, speak, and advocate for the preservation and celebration of Southern foodways.

Related Pages

• Southern Foodways Alliance
• University of Mississippi
• James Beard Foundation
• Oxford, Mississippi
• Garden & Gun
• The New York Times