NewPolitical Appetites: The Power of Food in Revolutionary America
2026 · Johns Hopkins University Press
Art & culinary historian
There's always room at my table for a hungry mind.
Author of Political Appetites and host of PBS's Feeding the American Revolution, premiering December 8.
About Nancy
It's all on the plate.
I grew up eating my way across New York City, because my mother was a terrible cook. Restaurant tables taught me that every dish tells a story. Years later, I was studying a nearly 200-year-old soup plate just as Congress renamed French fries “Freedom Fries.” I went looking for where that idea came from, and I found a cup of Liberty Tea and a slice of Election Cake.
Professor of Art History & Culinary History at Towson University · Researched George III's private papers at Windsor Castle
Nancy Siegel
The new book
Political Appetites
The Power of Food in Revolutionary America · Johns Hopkins University Press
How a new nation cooked up politics, one recipe at a time. From tea boycotts and homemade Liberty Tea to Washington Pie and a Mammoth Cheese for Thomas Jefferson, ordinary food became a way to protest, persuade and celebrate.
[PLACEHOLDER: praise quote]
Premieres December 8 · PBS
Feeding the American Revolution
Nancy hosts this WMHT/PBS documentary based on her research.
Watch the trailer →Lectures · Tastings
Bring the Revolution to your table.
For the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, invite Nancy for a lively lecture or a tasting of historical recipes. Every program can be shaped for your audience.
Perfect for museums, historical societies, libraries, garden clubs and universities. Fees and travel are shared by request.
Book an Event
Bring Nancy in for a lecture or a lecture and historical menu tasting
From Nancy's kitchen
Recipes of the Republic, for your kitchen today
The bookshelf
Nancy's books
New
Susie M. Barstow: Redefining the Hudson River School
2023 · Lund Humphries
Nancy also writes about the women artists of the Hudson River School, including the first biography of Susie Barstow.
As heard on
- KCRW Good Food
- WBUR
- Wisconsin Public Radio
- Baltimore Banner
- Massachusetts Historical Society
- Saratoga Book Festival
- Food FM
- The British Food History Podcast
Where to find Nancy
Upcoming events
November 14, 2026
Political Appetites lecture and tasting
Maryland Center for History and Culture, Baltimore, MD
November 19, 2026
A Taste of Democracy: From Liberty Tea to Freedom Fries
Sandy Spring Museum, Sandy Spring, MD
Get in touch