Move over, Betty Crocker. Women are reclaiming their pots and pans, but it's a new era in the kitchen. Today's generation of women is putting a fresh spin on the "joy of cooking"—and eating and entertaining.

In Women Who Eat, women both in and out of the culinary profession share their stories about the many ways food shapes and enhances their lives. New York Times columnist Amanda Hesser praises the joys of simple food, and Food and Wine editor Kate Sekules discusses the importance of having a restaurant where you're recognized. Theresa Lust, author of Pass the Polenta, vividly remembers a childhood making sauerkraut with her grandmother, and Michelle Tea describes her working-class Polish family's meals as "tripe, kielbasa, shellfish and beer." One woman owns up to her culinary ineptitude in an era when being a gourmet cook is all the rage, while another remembers preferring chicken nuggets from the cafeteria to mom's homemade vegetable biryani.

Women Who Eat not only presents an illuminating look at food today, but dishes out generous helpings of great prose that are sure to titillate the palate. Recipes are included.