Styling a Nation's Flavors: The Great American Table Cookbook

A cozy kitchen corner with a vintage wooden chair with a cloth on it, a small side table with a tablecloth, and various kitchen items including a cast iron skillet, a thermos, a stack of books, and a jar of cookies. There are lace curtains by a window with sunlight filtering in.
A vintage-style kitchen or pantry scene with a table covered in a floral cloth, holding eggs in a metal egg holder, metal utensils in a pink floral cup, scissors, a small jar, and metal tins, with handwritten notes or recipes taped on a white wall or backsplash in the background.
Plate of fried chicken with blue cheese crumbles and fresh parsley on a green table, with a cup of tea or coffee, two bottles of soda, and a napkin.
Chocolate chip cookie bars dusted with powdered sugar on a decorative tray with a mug of hot chocolate in the background.
Maine Lobster Rolls: "Capturing the fresh, coastal essence of Maine Lobster Rolls. Styled with minimal, crisp elements to highlight the premium ingredients and ocean-to-table appeal."
A tray of assorted cooked steaks with a cup of dark gravy or sauce, pieces of bread, and a yellow checkered cloth in the background.
Individual lemon trifles in small glass jars with cookies on a decorative plate, set on a white table with silver spoons.

The Great American Table is a sprawling culinary journey that celebrates the traditions, landscapes, and communities of all fifty states. Working again with a talented team—author Michelle Wright, photographer Shane Huntsman, and publisher Heidi Gordon—I was tasked with bringing this diverse tapestry of American cuisine to the page.

The visual challenge of this project was scale and specificity. Every state has a unique "flavor," not just in ingredients, but in the way people eat. My role as the food and prop stylist was to research and curate distinct atmospheres for each region, moving seamlessly from the rustic, rocky shores of Maine to the vibrant, sun-baked aesthetic of the American Southwest.

Whether styling a platter of deep-dish pizza or an elegant Southern dessert, the goal was to evoke the feeling of "home." We focused on authenticity, utilizing props and textures that felt deeply personal and tied to the history of the region. This project was a testament to the power of collaborative storytelling, resulting in a beautiful, inclusive visual guide to the foods that connect us across the country.

Project Credits:

  • Author: Michelle Wright

  • Publisher: Heidi Gordon

  • Photography: Shane Huntsman

  • Retouching: Easton Madsen

  • Styling: Alexandra Bingham

    The Great American Table is available for purchase on [Amazon]