Food Stars by Ellen Mahoney
Meet 15 accomplished women who have made great strides in the field of food.
Chicago Review Press, 2022, www.chicagoreviewpress.com.
The Sustainability Book Club met on November 2 to discuss Food Stars: 15 Women Stirring Up the Food Industry by Ellen Mahoney. The book is part of the “Women of Power” series for young adults and provides an overview of different career options related to food. The author profiles 15 accomplished women who have important roles in the food industry, from the more-familiar chefs and farmers to lesser-known food scientists, filmmakers and activists.
This book is an interesting read for anyone but an especially good choice for young people who are curious about a food-related career. During the November meeting, book club members discussed how many of the women profiled didn't plan to work in food professions, and they followed their own paths to eventually find their passion. Some of the women had mentors who influenced their choices, while others worked as volunteers in related fields. They all took risks and had to learn new skills along the way.
A Few of the Women Profiled:
Cheetie Kumar, chef and co-owner of Garland Restaurant in Raleigh. She is an acclaimed chef and also plays guitar and sings in the rock band Birds of Avalon.
Andi Murphy, a Navajo food writer and photographer in New Mexico. She hosts The Toasted Sister Podcast, which highlights stories about indigenous people and foods.
Dr. Takiya Sirmons, a food scientist in Houston, Texas. She helps to create food for astronauts at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
To read more, pick up a copy of Food Stars or one of the other themed career books in the series!
The Sustainability Book Club
Join a small group of avid readers who meet monthly to engage in lively discussions focused on books about sustainability. The club meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month on Zoom. Contact us to join!
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