Book cover of Norman Van Aken's Feast of Sunlight: 200 Inspired Recipes from the Master of New World Cuisine

Book description

Welcome to the New World. The tastiest, most imaginative cooking in America today comes not from the East Coast or the West Coast but the South Coast, especially Florida. That's where Norman Van Aken, Florida's most celebrated chef, has created New World Cuisine, a passionate marriage between the vibrant flavours…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Norman Van Aken's Feast of Sunlight as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Norman Van Aken is known internationally for introducing "fusion" into the lexicon of modern cookery as the founding father of New World Cuisine. 

Van Aken found his cooking voice in Key West by marrying Caribbean ingredients and spices with classic cooking techniques. 

He wrote this landmark book while helming Key West's Mira restaurant, where he showcased lobster terrine with caviar on a champagne yogurt dressing, curried carrot and chicken soup, and grilled marinated shrimp and chorizo.

Chef Charlie Trotter once called Van Aken, “the Walt Whitman of American Cuisine.” That would make this book his “Leaves Of Grass.” Poetry indeed.

From Andrew's list on reads for when you’re hungry.

If you love Norman Van Aken's Feast of Sunlight...

Book cover of These Blue Mountains

These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin Thomas,

A moving story of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of hope in the face of darkness.

German pianist Hedda Schlagel's world collapsed when her fiancé, Fritz, vanished after being sent to an enemy alien camp in the United States during the Great War. Fifteen years later, in 1932, Hedda…

Want books like Norman Van Aken's Feast of Sunlight?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 52 books like Norman Van Aken's Feast of Sunlight.

Browse books like Norman Van Aken's Feast of Sunlight

Book cover of Imbibe!: From Absinthe Cocktail to Whiskey Smash, a Salute in Stories and Drinks to "Professor" Jerry Thomas, Pioneer of the American Bar
Book cover of Southern Food: At Home, on the Road, in History
Book cover of Cross Greek Cookery

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,366

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like Norman Van Aken's Feast of Sunlight, you might also like...

Book cover of Deadly Revenge

Deadly Revenge by Patricia Bradley,

Deputy Jenna Hart has only been working in her sleepy hometown of Pearl Springs for seven months when city officials begin to be targeted by a killer. Twenty years ago, the construction of a dam caused people to lose their land to eminent domain. That wound has not healed with…

Book cover of The Duty of Memory

The Duty of Memory by Vicki Olsen,

Separating the true stories from the myths, The Duty of Memory provides a deeper understanding of the diverse motivations that drove ordinary people to join an underground network of French Resistants despite terrible odds and horrifying consequences.

This book takes the reader inside the true story of men and women…

5 book lists we think you will like!