We talk with Illinois chef Paul Fehribach, who’s out with a new book on Midwestern cuisine: what it is, where it came from, and how it’s influenced the American menu beyond our region. The book is Midwestern Food: A Chef’s Guide to the Surprising History of a Great American Cuisine, with More Than 100 Tasty Recipes.

A new book discusses how Midwestern food fits into the bigger picture of American culture.