The history of Atlanta’s food scene largely belongs to women
Since stepping forth from the ashes of the Civil War, the city of Atlanta has been egregiously underrated as a food town. Infrequently credited for its contributions to global cuisine (you’re welcome for the fried chicken sandwich, world) and often stereotyped by outsiders, Atlanta’s vibrant food and dining scene is a pleasant surprise for many new residents.
Perhaps not coincidentally, the story of food in Atlanta has traditionally been told by women — intrepid female writers who found national prominence in the male-dominated newspaper industry.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s modern food and dining section can trace its origin back to the “women’s pages” first published in the Atlanta Constitution in the 1880s. Since then, newspaper coverage of food, cooking and restaurants has largely been stewarded by talented, often brave, women who understood the importance of such “soft” news subjects.
In the first half of the 20th century, the Atlanta Constitution and Atlanta Journal minted nationally syndicated stars like Southern cooking expert Henrietta Dull, who wrote under the byline Mrs. S.R. Dull, and Celestine Sibley, beloved for the columns on Southern culture that she wrote over her 50-plus year career.
👩🍳 Read more about the succession of well-known, successful female food editors that followed.
