Plantation Feasts and Festivities

A Celebration of the Grandes Dames of Virginia Food and Hospitality

Orange County, Virginia, home of our fourth President, James Madison, and his "trend-setting" wife Dolley, is a treasure trove of culinary, cultural, and historical traditions. Montpelier, the lifelong home of James Madison, is but one of the several plantations featured in this book, a collection of recipes and recollections that defines Virginia country cuisine as a "blend of food and traditions, those small parcels of culture that combined to form the plantation."

The book features more than 125 recipes that  recreate original versions of traditional Southern dishes while judiciously drawing on today's styles and preferences. The recipes represent a bountiful blend of superb classics and exciting contemporary twists on traditional themes. Following nature's calendar, the recipes make the most of each season's bounty--home-grown vegetables and herbs in spring and summer, locally raised game in spring and fall, and smoked, cured, and preserved foods in the winter. The result is a selection of thoughtfully prepared specialties that combine recreations of old classics, traditional renditions of family favorites, and tried-and true creations from our personal collections. All recipes have been carefully tested and modified to today’s methods, and adjusted to serve six to eight adults. 

Organized by season, complete menus are provided for such significant holidays as Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, as well as more spontaneous occasions such as an afternoon tea in the garden, a  tail gate picnic at the races, or a summer party on the lawn. Complementing each menu and its corresponding recipes is a brief history of an Orange County plantation with a Madison provenance, as well as a narrative describing the cultural background of the holiday or occasion and how it was traditionally celebrated in plantation Virginia. Sprinkled throughout are quotes on plantation life by Dolley Madison and Edna Lewis.

Published on the the occasion of the 250th Anniversary of the birth of James Madison, Fourth President and Father of the Constitution, in cooperation with Montpelier, Home of James and Dolley Madison

By Angela Mulloy

FOREWORD AND COMMENTARY BY EDNA LEWIS

Angela Mulloy and Edna Lewis at Willow Grove

ANGELA MULLOY is the owner of the world famous Willow Grove Inn, one of the featured plantations in this book. A professional writer and designer who has always had a flair for decorating, entertaining, and cooking, she has dedicated her life to collecting and preserving the treasures of the past. She is the author of Seasonal Celebrations and Celebrating the Chestnut.

EDNA LEWIS is a culinary legend in her own time. Born in Orange County, she ran several well-known restaurants in New York City, North Carolina, and South Carolina before settling in Atlanta. A contributor to a wide range of food and home magazines, she is the author of The Edna Lewis Cookbook, The Taste of Country Cooking, and In Pursuit of Flavor.

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