Different parts of Michigan may be known by state residents for regional food specialties, but a new publication from the state's Pure Michigan tourism campaign aims to help the entire state become known for its food.
Midwest Living published a new cookbook from Pure Michigan, called Pure Michigan: Eating Fresh and Local in the Great Lakes State, this month. It's more than 150 pages of recipes and stories about foods particular to Michigan, whether it's Detroit, Traverse City or the Upper Peninsula.
Cherry pies, pasties, chili and pie are among the Michigan traditions explored in the cookbook--and the tourism officials hope they'll soon be explored by home cooks and Michigan visitors from across the nation.
Agricultural tourism is one of the biggest draws in the state, and that's prominently featured in the cookbook as well, which acts as something of a guide to pick-your-own farms, local restaurants, and wineries. Foodie tours are also offered for various regions of the state within the pages.
"This new cookbook showcases Michigan's culinary specialties. It also offers ideas of how to enjoy a visit to savor and explore Pure Michigan products at you-pick farms, orchards, farmer's markets, restaurants and more than 80 vineyards and wineries," says George Zimmermann, VP of Travel Michigan, part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. "Michigan has a bounty of agricultural offerings and visitors can get a taste at more than 100 food festivals and events throughout the year."
Recipes in the cookbook include many from Michigan restaurant chefs, like those at Cygnus 27 in Grand Rapids, the Rattlesnake Club in Detroit, and Trattoria Stella in Traverse City. The sticker price is $29.95 for the Ann Arbor-printed book, available through the
Pure Michigan website.
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: George Zimmermann, Travel Michigan
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