The Magic of Food and Fiction with Ruth Reichl

For Ruth Reichl, food and words have always been linked. “Growing up in my family,” she explained, “You had to have a story at the dinner table. It’s where I learned to write.”

Reichl’s early storytelling training has served her well. One of America’s top culinary voices, Reichl has earned distinctions ranging from the James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award to a recent cameo on The Simpsons. A New York Times bestselling author and former Gourmet magazine editor and restaurant critic for The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, Reichl has lived America’s food journey. At All Henrico Reads on March 27, 2025, you’re invited to be part of the experience as Reichl shares insights from her life and her latest book The Paris Novel.

It comes as no surprise that food plays a central role in The Paris Novel. From briny oysters on a deep bed of ice to a jewel box of a salad, Reichl presents a literary feast. She admits she gets hungry while writing about food. “All of these meals in The Paris Novel are meals I have eaten,” she said. “You have to be able to taste it to write about it.”

Reichl has done just that, tasting and writing about the American food revolution over the past 50 years. She thinks right now is the most exciting time in food in her lifetime. “There are so many opportunities,” she said. “At the time I started, a career like mine would not have been considered possible. If you were interested in food, you might work in a restaurant or become a chef. Today, so many people, especially young people, understand the importance of food and the issues surrounding it.”

Reichl said the way we eat defines our communities and can lead to better understanding. She shared that while at the Los Angeles Times, she wrote an article featuring recipes from Singapore. A reader wrote in and said the story prompted her to strike up a conversation with a neighbor, who was from Singapore. “Food brings people together,” Reichl said. “It’s hard to hate people if you love their food.”

Reading has this same power. “What people don’t understand about reading is that it’s very much a collaboration,” Reichl explained. “I never know how people will interact with my words. To sit around and talk about a book, you are also understanding each other.”

Reichl says fiction is well-suited for this task. “Fiction especially helps you understand what it’s like to be in someone else’s skin. You vanish into that person; you experience their emotions. It helps you understand people. There is a kind of magic.”

With memoirs, novels, and cookbooks to her credit, it may be surprising to hear Reichl confess she’s a writer who usually hates to write. “I had so much fun writing The Paris Novel, that when I sent it to my publisher, I wasn’t sure what the reception would be.” Her publisher’s response: “You are never allowed to write something that isn’t fun again!”

Whether you’re a foodie, a book lover, or simply someone who delights in a good story, this year’s All Henrico Reads is a rare chance to hear from a culinary icon. Join us for an evening of community and conversation about the magic of words and food.

This free event is Thursday, March 27 at 7 p.m. at the Henrico Sports & Events Center. There’s a full menu of book discussions and related programming in the month leading up to the event and you can find The Paris Novel in Henrico libraries. The library also has Reichl’s other books and you can always get a taste of Ruth Reichl on her La Briffe Substack channel. All Henrico Reads is hosted in partnership with the Friends of Henrico County Public Library, Henrico County Public Schools, and Henrico County.