Simon Majumdar is probably not your typical idea of an immigrant. As he says, “I’m well rested, not particularly poor, and the only time I ever encounter ‘huddled masses’ is in line at Costco.” But immigrate he did, and thanks to a Homeland Security agent who asked if he planned to make it official, the journey chronicled in Fed, White, and Blue was born. In it, Simon sets off on a trek across the United States to find out what it really means to become an American, using what he knows best: food.
Simon stops in Plymouth, Massachusetts, to learn about what the pilgrims ate (and that playing Wampanoag football with large men is to be avoided); a Shabbat dinner in Kansas; Wisconsin to make cheese (and get sprayed with hot whey); and LA to cook at a Filipino restaurant in the hope of making his in-laws proud. Simon attacks with gusto the food cultures that make up America—brewing beer, farming, working at a food bank, and even finding himself at a tailgate. Full of heart, humor, history, and of course, food, Fed, White, and Blue is a warm, funny, and inspiring portrait of becoming American.
Join Simon as he goes on the Great American “Fed, White, and Blue” Book Tour as well as at other events around the country. You can order your copy here.
2015
March
- 25: Fed, White, And Blue Book Tour. The Mark Twain House and Museum. 8 pm to 9:30 pm. Hartford, Connecticut.
- 26: Fed, White, And Blue Book Tour. Bears Smokehouse. 11 am to 1 pm. Hartford, Connecticut.
- 26: Fed, White, And Blue Book Tour. Bears Smokehouse. 6:30 pm to 8 pm. Windsor, Connecticut
- 30: Fed, White, And Blue Book Tour. Plimoth Plantation. 12 Noon to 1 pm. Plymouth, Massachusetts.
- 31: Fed, White, And Blue Tour. Central House at the Crown. 6 pm. Provincetown, Massachusetts. [Please contact 508-487-1430 for reservations.]
April
- 1: Fed, White, And Blue Book Tour. Nightshift Brewery. 6 pm to 10 pm. Everett, Massachusetts.
- 9-12: Saborea Puerto Rico. Escambrón Beach, Puerto Rico.
- 14: Fed, White, And Blue Book Tour. Diesel, A Bookstore in Brentwood. 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Santa Monica, California.
- 16: Fed, White, And Blue Book Tour. The Center Club’s Sous Chef Knockdown. 6 pm. Costa Mesa, California
- 17: Reddit. 10 am PST / 1 pm EST. Anywhere.
- 18-19: LA Times Festival of Books. Los Angeles, California.
- 22: Fed, White, And Blue Book Tour. John B. Connally High School Culinary Arts Program. 9 am to 10:50 am. Austin, Texas.
- 22: Fed, White, And Blue Book Tour. Book People. 7 pm. Austin, Texas.
- 28: Fed, White, And Blue Book Tour. Square Books. 5 pm. Oxford, Mississippi.
- 30: Fed, White, And Blue Book Tour. Lemuria Books. Jackson, Mississippi.
- 30: Fed, White, And Blue Book Tour. The Sharp Knife Showdown at Capitol Grill. 10:30 pm. Jackson, Mississippi.
May
- 2: Fed, White, And Blue Book Tour. Events Space TBA. Mobile, Alabama.
- 5: Fed, White, And Blue Book Tour. Epicurean Hotel. Tampa, Florida.
- 10: Taste of Gainesville. Gainesville, Florida.
- 13: Fed, White, And Blue Book Tour. Summits Wayside Tavern. 7 pm. Cumming, Georgia.
- 17: Fed, White, And Blue Book Tour. The Eddy Pub. Saxapahaw, North Carolina.
- 19: Fed, White, And Blue Book Tour. Event Space TBA. Lexington, North Carolina.
- 22: Fed, White, And Blue Book Tour. The Writer’s Block. 7 pm to 8:30 pm. Las Vegas, Nevada.
- 28: Fed, White, And Blue Book Tour. Seviche Restaurant. 6 pm Reception. 7 pm Dinner. Louisville, Kentucky. [Please contact madi@sevicherestaurant or call 502-473-8560 for reservations.]
- 30: Fed, White, And Blue Book Tour. The Commissary. Columbus, Ohio.
June
- 1: Fed, White, And Blue Book Tour. Pioneer Career and Technology Center Culinary Arts Program. 12 noon. Shelby, Ohio.
- 1: Fed, White, And Blue Book Tour. Cafe on Main. 7 pm. Mansfield, Ohio.
- 5-6: Fed, White, And Blue Book Tour. The Standard Club. Chicago, Illinois.
- 11: Fed, White, And Blue Book Tour: Beaverdale Books. Des Moines, Iowa.
- 12: Fed, White, And Blue Book Tour. Event Space TBA. Omaha, Nebraska
- 22: Fed, White, And Blue Book Tour. Third Street Oil & Vinegar. 1 pm. McMinnville, Oregon.
- 22: Fed, White, And Blue Book Tour. Adams Rib Smokehouse. 4:30 pm, Salem, Oregon.
- 23: Fed, White, And Blue Book Tour. Willamette Valley Vineyards. Salem, Oregon.
- 25: Fed, White, And Blue Book Tour. American Brewing Co. Edmonds, Washington.
August
- 8: Fed, White, And Blue Book Tour. Love Apple Farms. Santa Cruz, California.
- 16: Kansas City Kosher BBQ Festival. Kansas City, Missouri.
September
- 5-6: Bear’s Smokehouse New England BBQ Championships. Hartford, Connecticut.
- 16-17: Business Innovation Factory. Providence, Rhode Island.
- 19: Fed, White, And Blue Book Tour. Northshire Bookstore. Manchester, Vermont.
- 27: The Golden Foodie Awards. Newport Beach, California.
October
- 24-25: Dallas Kosher BBQ Festival. Dallas, Texas.
November
- World Food Championships. Kissimmee, Florida.
