Gravy Wars

“I know South Philadelphia: Lorraine Ranalli captures in painfully funny detail the foibles, idiosyncrasies, and eccentricities of what it is to be Italian in South Philly. The recipes are a bonus—great, but still nothing to compare with my Mother’s cooking: she knows pasta and gravy. But, this is a good book that will add to the lore of South Philadelphia.” 

“Gravy Wars | South Philly Foods, Feuds, & Attytudes’ captures the essence of Philadelphia. We have the ability to debate, argue, and dissect the most mundane topics but always we keep our hearts open to our greatest strengths: family and friendships.” 

“We already know that you can pick your friends and you can’t pick your family. Now we finally know who picked the gravy. Thanks, Lorraine, for lovingly explaining to this Baltimore Italian girl (who thought gravy was the brown stuff) what the heck has been going on all these years in those South Philly kitchens.” 

“The title alone conjures memories. I was standing at a high-top table twirling probably my fifth pasta and gravy sample at a Taste of South Philly event during a particularly charged mayoral election year. When I looked up from my plate, I realized that the two opposing candidates were standing at arms-length on either side of me. They must have been desperately seeking gravy, too. I only wish this book was available then. It would have been an excellent icebreaker.”

“Gravy Wars’ is charming and heartwarming, and an authentic echo of growing up Italian-American. Ranalli is the real deal, and it shows!”

“It’s about time someone pulled back the green-white-and-red curtain to reveal one of America’s most colorful—sometimes comical, sometimes cantankerous—sub-cultures, the South Philly Italians.” 

“This book is so good that I read it after eating and I’m hungry all over again!”

“Although I didn’t grow up in a large Italian family, working in South Philly the last 15 years has enabled me to spill lots of ‘gravy’ on my clothes. Congrats to Lorraine for writing such a charming, funny, and insightful book regarding the culinary wonderland of South Philadelphia!” 

“Where I come from, we don’t call it gravy, but ya know what? It tastes the same. And over pasta, it’s to die for—whether you’re talking marinara or Bolognese. Great book!”

“Lorraine Ranalli has done it! Finally! ‘Gravy Wars’ is an affectionate, humorous, and historical look at the closely guarded secrets of Italian-American kitchens AND dining room tables! Lorraine brings you into a world where food is love and the rest is… well, gravy.”