The Saltwater Table: Recipes from the Coastal South

by Whitney Otawka, Emily Dorio (Photographer)

The Saltwater Table is a culinary travel fantasy cookbook, celebrating the food of the southeastern coast, by Whitney Otawka, the award-winning chef of Greyfield, a celebrated Carnegie-built inn located on Cumberland Island, Georgia—a magical and remote barrier island that has been left undeveloped as a national seashore.

“Readers of this beautiful book can learn a lot from her.” ―Jacques Pépin

“The book shines when it digs deep into the region’s briny history.” ― Grub Street

“Otawka’s cooking is approachable and meant to be shared.” ― Epicurious

Cumberland Island and the exceptional local ingredients to be found there are Otawka’s muse, inspiring her to celebrate the beloved food found along the Southeast coast. Offering a modern perspective on southern flavors with a strong emphasis on vegetables and fresh ingredients, the book contains 125 approachable and flavorful recipes, such This beautifully photographed book also shows us how to enjoy iconic southern meals, everything from an oyster roast to a fish fry to a Low Country boil.

Otawka writes in her introduction, “Layer upon layer, century upon century, the history and the people that have called Cumberland home have sculpted a unique place. It is this wild isolated nature that over the centuries added to its lore.” The Saltwater Table transports readers to the mysterious, lush Cumberland Island, allowing us to recreate a taste of this vibrant world in our own kitchens.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food

288 pages, Hardcover

Published October 22, 2019

Reviews

[Liquidlasagna · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been my privilege to enjoy Whitney Otawka’s food several times on Cumberland Island. Her knowledge, plus her creativity and passion, makes her an excellent cook, and readers of this beautiful book can learn a lot from her.
Jacques Pepin

[Holly Anne Smith Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buy!!!!
Fresh, local, traditional yet complex-flavor twists, easy to source or grow ingredients.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cookbook that celebrates the cooking and cuisine of the coastal South, Georgia in particular. I will note that growing up at the Jersey shore the flow of the “seasons” and the seafood recipes were familiar in a lot of ways. One of the things I miss most since moving to Montana is the ability to get right off the boat seafood. If you have never had it, you don’t know what you are missing. And if you can ever get shrimp with their heads still on – take them and run.

The Saltwater Table is a book that respects fresh ingredients, in their time. Take advantage of what is fresh and seasonal rather than try to make a hothouse tomato taste like summer – ya know? I chose to make what would be considered a winter recipe but I had pork out for dinner and so pork I made. And I am so glad I did – this was the best fried pork I have had in a very long time. The spice blend in the dredge and the bay laurel gravy is a magical combination. I found the recipes to be well written and easy to follow. Of the ones that I read I didn’t note any wild and crazy ingredients.

Reading the book and looking through the recipes brought back a lot of memories for me of the time we spent in our fifthwheel. Part of our travels involved spending Christmas in Georgia with friends after being in New Jersey for the Fall. We would meander so each year we would spend time going a different way so as to see different places. Coastal Georgia and her barrier islands are very similar to the barrier island I grew up on in New Jersey.

I believe this is going to be one of those cookbooks that I turn to on a regular basis. There are many wonderful dishes awaiting me; seafood, vegetable and dessert. This cookbook would make an excellent gift for anyone with fond memories of living on the mid to southern East coast or anyone who loves good Southern cooking.

[Howard2nd · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great visit while we can not travel. I bought the book for the recipes (made 6 so far). Savoring the story that ties it all together was an unexpected bonus.

[Stars & Anchor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Saltwater Table is more than a cookbook, it's a celebration of the coastal south and its rich culinary traditions. With recipes inspired by the beauty and bounty of Cumberland Island, this book combines seasonal cooking, fresh ingredients, and approachable techniques. Stunning photography, engaging storytelling, and a mix of aspirational and accessible dishes make it perfect for anyone who loves Southern cuisine, coastal travel, or simply great food.

This book is featured in my list, 11 Irresistible Coastal Cookbooks for East Coast Seafood Lovers.

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[Hollins Cuttino · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this!! I am inspired