The Tastemakers

Why We’re Crazy for Cupcakes but Fed Up with Fondue (Plus Baconomics, Superfoods, and Other Secrets from the World of Food Trends)

De: David Sax

Narrado por: David Sax

Earphones Award Winner (AudioFile Magazine)

Tastemaker, n. Anyone with the power to make you eat quinoa.

Kale. Spicy sriracha sauce. Honeycrisp apples. Cupcakes. These days, it seems we are constantly discovering a new food that will make us healthier, happier, or even somehow cooler. Chia seeds, after a brief life as a novelty houseplant and I Love the ’80s punchline, are suddenly a superfood. Not long ago, that same distinction was held by pomegranate seeds, açai berries, and the fermented drink known as kombucha. So what happened? Did these foods suddenly cease to be healthy a few years ago? And by the way, what exactly is a "superfood" again?

In this eye-opening, witty work of reportage, David Sax uncovers the world of food trends: Where they come from, how they grow, and where they end up. Traveling from the South Carolina rice plot of America’s premier grain guru to Chicago’s gluttonous Baconfest, Sax reveals a world of influence, money, and activism that helps decide what goes on your plate. On his journey, he meets entrepreneurs, chefs, and even data analysts who have made food trends a mission and a business. The Tastemakers is full of entertaining stories and surprising truths about what we eat, how we eat it, and why.

©2014 David Sax (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Author David Sax provides an engaging narration of his investigation into food trends and those who create them... Sax's clear delivery flows smoothly, and his Canadian accent slips out endearingly in his pronunciation of certain words, including 'aboot' for 'about.'" (AudioFile)

a gladwell-esque look at food trends

broken into neat sections (sexy, chef driven, agricultural, and health)it exams how did trends appear and disappear. well written. fun.

Great book, learned a lot

Not just for foodies, a good book for marketers and business folks.

The fake accents have to go, almost offensive I would imagine to some.

Good overview of food industry

Great storytelling and great info about what makes and breaks a food trend... Love that the actual author read the book

Fascinating

Informative, entertaining, and thought-provoking. A rare instance of an author
successfully reading his (in this case) own book. Only problem was technical: Increasingly often, I alternate reading the same book on Kindle and listening to it on Audible. The versions always synced, but not the Tastemakers.

Leaves Something to Be Desired

This book gives examples but fails to deliver a satisfying conclusion. In the end, it falls to its own presumptions and sales pitch.

Informative - Engaging - Entertaining!

If you could sum up The Tastemakers in three words, what would they be?

Informative - Engaging - Entertaining! If you love cooking and food facts and trivia, it doesn't get much better than this.

What did you like best about this story?

I always suspected that many of our food preferences were shaped by the movers and shakers of the food industry and David Sax verified my suspicions and really explained how it works. I love his passion for food and his ability to engage his listener (in this case - me) and in a vicarious way take me with him behind the scenes. As a food lover/cook - this book was a joY!

Any additional comments?

I'd love to see more books like this. It's about something real - it's interesting and exciting.
Thanks Mr. Sax!

A pleasant meander through food trends

David Sax will take you through food trends, from cupcakes to Baconfests to chia everything to why Indian food is always just about to take off. The book is ultimately not as cohesive as it might be and Sax is a little more sanguine about food trends than I am, but the writing and narration are both engaging – I learned a lot, laughed a lot, and had a good time.