John T. Edge’s Search For The True South

About John T. Edge

John T. Edge grew up in Clinton, Georgia, raised in a Confederate general’s house that introduced him early on to the complicated legacy of the South. His childhood was complicated, too, and not always happy, but his mother and father shared a curiosity about food and cooking that never left him. For more than 20 years, John T. headed up the Southern Foodways Alliance at the University of Mississippi, shining a light on the diverse food cultures of the South, and he’s written as thoughtfully about the people ofthis region as anyone I know. His 2017 book The Potlikker Papers: A Food History of the Modern South, is a must-read. And for the last several years, he’s also hosted True South, a television series on the SEC Network that explores the small towns, back roads, family restaurants, and unsung heroes who make the South such a dynamic place.

What John T. Edge Talks About In This Episode

• Being raised in Clinton, Georgia, 12 miles from Macon
• His work at Southern Foodways Alliance at the University of Mississippi
• Shining a light on the diverse food cultures of the South
• His book book The Potlikker Papers: A Food History of the Modern South
• Hosting True South, a television series on the SECNetwork that explores the small towns, back roads, family restaurants, and unsung heroes
• Southerners response to the Show
• How his parents influenced his world view
• His father being a curious cook
• His mom's fried okra, the dish in their home
• Taking cooking classes from Miss Lewis and Scott Peacock
• His passion for small towns
  

Quotes From John T. Edge

"My mom was a good cook. She was a country cook. She wasn't as adventurous as my father, but both of them loved food and loved dining out especially. - John T. Edge

About Biscuits & Jam

In the South, talking about food is personal. It's a way of sharing your history, your family, your culture, and yourself. Each week Sid Evans, editor in chief of Southern Living, sits down with celebrity musicians to hear stories of how they grew up, what inspired them, and how they've been shaped by Southern culture. Sid takes us back to some of their most cherished memories and traditions, the family meals they still think about, and their favorite places to eat on the road.Download and listen to this episode of Biscuits & Jam with John T. Edge on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or everywhere podcasts are available.


Editor’s Note: Please be mindful that this transcript does not go through our standard editorial process and may contain inaccuracies and grammatical errors.