It’s been 17 years since @kathrynstockettauthor came out with The Help, but her new one, The Calamity Club, is worth the wait. Had a great time talking to her about the characters she came up with, why she loves to write about “the underestimated woman,” and the frightening things she discovered researching 1930s Mississippi. If you’re looking for a great summer read, this is it. And if you get a chance to see her on this book tour, go do it. Thanks to the legendary Jake Reiss @alabamabooksmith for making it happen.
Bham friends - or anyone up for a road trip - I’m interviewing Kathryn Stockett, author of The Help, at Alys Stephens Center in downtown Birmingham this Friday. She’s written a terrific new book called The Calamity Club, which is set in 1930s Oxford, Mississippi. As you might expect, it’s a great story with wonderful, memorable, desperate characters, some heartbreak, and plenty of mischief. Hope you can make it. Ticket link in bio.
On today’s episode of Biscuits & Jam, we’re delighted to welcome the one and only Heather McMahan. Editor in Chief Sid Evans sat down with the Atlanta-based comedian to chat about the upcoming “Bamboozled” tour, her meat-and-three order, and of course, Ole Miss Football. Visit the link in our profile to listen to the full conversation!
This was a fun one. I’ve known George Motz for more than 30 years, back in his earliest burger days. Not only did he write a feature for us about some of his “hamburger heroes,” but we also cooked up an event at his amazing retro restaurant Hamburger America in NYC. One of the stars of the story, Matt Bullington of Texas Tavern, made his famous Cheesy Western, which they’ve been serving at his restaurant for about 90 years (and you can get it @hamburger_america until early June). Thx @motzburger and everyone at HA for hosting @southernlivingmag and bringing this to life.
Kathryn Stockett’s The Help captivated millions of readers and brought national attention to the complex relationships between Black housekeepers and their white employers during the Civil Rights era in Mississippi. It also became an Academy Award winning film with Stockett’s friend Octavia Spencer winning for Best Supporting Actress. Now, 17 years later, she’s back with her long-awaited second novel, The Calamity Club. Set in 1933 in Oxford, Mississippi, it follows a group of resourceful women with a “terrible, awful but very profitable idea” to make enough money to survive during the Great Depression. In true Stockett form, it’s full of memorable characters, hilarious scenes, and plenty of heartbreak. Join us at the link in our profile for a sneak peek on today’s episode of Biscuits & Jam.
📸: Ken Kochey
On today’s episode of Biscuits & Jam, Susan Tedeschi chats with Sid about the family dynamic that’s kept @tedeschitrucksband together for 16 years, and a particularly fun gig they have on the horizon. This Saturday, Susan and her husband Derek will perform the “Star Spangled Banner” at the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby. Be sure to tune in and in the meantime, visit the link in our profile to listen to the full conversation.
📸: Bradley Strickland
On this week’s episode of Biscuits & Jam, Sid chats with Maneet Chauhan, a Food Network judge, cookbook author, and trailblazing chef, based in Nashville, Tennessee. Visit the link in our profile to join the conversation and hear how Maneet honors traditional Indian cuisine while making it modern and accessible, why she sees BBQ as a global language, and how she’s turning her 50th birthday into a year-long celebration.
Hannah Dasher grew up near Savannah, Georgia, raised by a “pistol-packing” grandmother and a family that was fiercely competitive about cooking and entertaining. After college, she moved to Nashville to chase her dream of being a country music star, driven by a love of Elvis, Reba, and Hank Jr. In 2021, she released her debut EP, The Half Record, and was named one of CMT’s “Next Women of Country.” Now she’s bringing her passion for cooking and entertaining to a new cookbook, Stand By Your Pan: 100 Easy and Affordable Comfort Food Recipes So Good They’ll Hurt People’s Feelings. Visit the link in our profile to listen to Hannah’s full conversation with Sid on today’s episode of Biscuits & Jam! 🍳
George Motz is a celebrated Burger Scholar, as well as an author, filmmaker, and TV host who’s been called the “foremost authority on hamburgers” by The New York Times. George grew up on Long Island, but he has deep family ties to South Carolina on his mother’s side. He spent a lot of time in the Lowcountry as a kid, soaking up the food and culture, which helped shape his lifelong passion for American cuisine. In 2023, George opened Hamburger America, an acclaimed restaurant in New York City where he’s serving some of the best burgers you’ll ever taste.
To kick off our new season of Biscuits & Jam, Editor-in-Chief Sid Evans talks to George about the cultural significance of hamburgers, the men and women who make them, and what drives him to preserve and celebrate these American institutions. You can find the full episode at the link in our profile or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. 🍔
New mural going up at the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama @feedingal , which deserves some attention right now as hunger becomes more of an issue, especially in Alabama and around the South. I’m told it’ll be the biggest mural in the state, and it’s just a few miles down the road from @southernlivingmag HQ. Congrats to CEO Nicole Williams, muralist @marcusfetchart , my friends @leadbham , and everyone who’s been a part of this extraordinary project. The new CFB facility will open soon, and it’s a vital resource for the 12 counties it serves.
Got to sit down yesterday with Georgia girl @megmoroney and hear about her new album Cloud 9, her deep Southern roots, her collabs with @edsheeran and @kennychesney , and her favorite things to pick up @bucees . It was our first live version of Biscuits & Jam at the home office in NYC, and it was easy to see why she’s filling stadiums and winning over millions of fans. Check out some excerpts from our convo at the link in bio.
