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St. Louis native Joe Johnston explores history, culture of Southern cooking

Author Joe Johnston has several appearances in Jefferson County this weekend as part of the county's bicentennial celebration.
Evie Hemphill | St. Louis Public Radio
Author Joe Johnston has several appearances in Jefferson County this weekend as part of the county's bicentennial celebration.

It’s well known that people eat different foods in different parts of the United States.

The culture and history of one of those areas – the American South – is explored in a new book by St. Louis native Joe Johnston. He’s the author of “Grits to Glory: How Southern Cookin’ Got So Good.”

“Maybe I’m the only one who thinks this way but I’ve always been curious about why people eat the things they do in different parts of the country,” Johnston said. “How come we eat stuff down here that folks up north don’t eat?”

Author Joe Johnston has several appearances in Jefferson County this weekend as part of the county's bicentennial celebration.
Credit Evie Hemphill | St. Louis Public Radio
Author Joe Johnston has several appearances in Jefferson County this weekend as part of the county's bicentennial celebration.

Further, Johnston noted that cuisine in Missouri is unique due to the state’s location in the middle of the country.

“I just thought the history of Southern food was fascinating and wanted to write about it,” he said.

On Friday’s St. Louis on the Air, host Don Marsh talked with Johnston, who has several weekend appearances at Jefferson County Library branches to talk about his earlier book, “Mack Marsden: Another Jefferson County Cold Case Solved.”

Johnston has previously joined Marsh to talk about vigilante justice in Missouri and the notorious Missouri outlaw, Jesse James.

By the way, Johnston also helped invent the McDonald’s Happy Meal and is a Grammy-nominated music writer and producer.

Related Event

What: Jefferson County Library Presents Joe Johnston in "Mack Marsden: Another Jefferson County Cold Case Solved"

When: 3 p.m. Friday, July 13, 2018; 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, July 14, 2018

Where: Multiple locations, registration required 

More informationSt. Louis on the Air brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region. St. Louis on the Air host Don Marsh and producers Mary EdwardsAlex HeuerEvie Hemphill and Caitlin Lallygive you the information you need to make informed decisions and stay in touch with our diverse and vibrant St. Louis region.

Copyright 2021 St. Louis Public Radio. To see more, visit St. Louis Public Radio.

Alex Heuer joined St. Louis Public Radio in 2012 and is the executive producer of St. Louis on the Air. Alex grew up in the St. Louis area. He began his public radio career as a student reporter at Tri States Public Radio in Macomb, Illinois and worked for a few years at Iowa Public Radio. Alex graduated summa cum laude from Western Illinois University with a degree in history and earned a teaching certificate in 6 - 12th grade social studies. In 2016, he earned a Master of Public Policy Administration with a focus in nonprofit organization management and leadership from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He has won local and national awards for reporting and producing and his stories have been featured nationally on Morning Edition and All Things Considered.