For those who love cookbooks, spring is a happy time as our favorites from the past year receive national recognition (and create a list of must-buy options), and new books flood the market in time for Mother's Day sales.
Last week the James Beard Foundation announced its roster of winners from those published in 2016, and they make this cook want to hit the road (Appalachia and Persian culinary regions), break out the rum, bake a cookie and eat my vegetables (and cheese).
Author Ronni Lundy of Asheville, N.C., won the top prize for both Book of the Year, along with the category of American cooking.
Book of the year: "Victuals: An Appalachian Journey, With Recipes," by Ronni Lundy (Clarkson Potter)
Cookbook hall of fame: Judith Jones (the legendary editor from Alfred Knopf)
American cooking: "Victuals: An Appalachian Journey, With Recipes," by Ronni Lundy (Clarkson Potter)
Baking and dessert: "Dorie's Cookies," by Dorie Greenspan (Rux Martin Books/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
Beverage: "Smuggler's Cove: Exotic Cocktails, Rum, and the Cult of Tiki," by Martin Cate with Rebecca Cate (Ten Speed Press)