JUNE 2025: KITCHENS OF THE GREAT MIDWEST
BOOK CLUB GUIDE: ICE BREAKER, GAME, GUIDE
@TCBABES_SOCIALCLUB: Meals That Made Us
Food is memory's secret trigger—what we eat fuels the brain, while taste and smell unlock vivid emotional moments stored deep within us.
Tonight, we're kicking things off with a little storytelling through food. Before we dive into discussion, we’re starting with a bite of memory—served strange, sweet, or spicy.
Step 1:
Think back to a meal that lives in your memory, one that holds weight beyond the plate. It could be sensual, sacred, sad, hilarious, or completely unhinged. Just as long as it stuck.
Step 2:
Now, create a short, symbolic ingredient list from that meal. These can be literal (like “tuna salad and ginger ale”) or poetic (“anxiety, lipstick, and something stolen”). Feel free to get weird—Melissa Broder would approve.
Step 3:
Take a minute to share your ingredients and the story:
What made this meal unforgettable?
Who were you then?
What was lost, gained, or realized through that moment?
Goal:
We’re not just swapping recipes—we’re connecting through the flavors and feelings that have shaped us. Feel free to be funny, heartfelt, or completely weird. All of it is welcome here.
Ingredients list: ___________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
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Description of the Memory associated with the meal: _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________
• What made this meal unforgettable? ________________________________________________________________________ • Who were you then? ________________________________________________________________________ • What was lost, gained, or realized through that moment? ________________________________________________________________________
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@TCBABES_SOCIALCLUB: Book Club Questions for The Kitchens of the Great Midwest
On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate The Kitchens of the Great Midwest overall, and what influenced your
rating the most — the characters, the storytelling style, the food descriptions, or something else?
1. Structure and Narrative Style
The book is told through interconnected stories focusing on Eva and the people who influence her. How did this structure affect your reading experience? Did it deepen your connection to the characters or make it more challenging to follow?
How does the author use food as a thread to connect characters and stories across time and place? 2. Eva’s Character
Eva is portrayed as a culinary prodigy shaped by loss and resilience. What moments in her journey stood out as turning points for her growth?
How does Eva’s upbringing in the Midwest shape her identity and cooking style? Do you think the novel captures the essence of Midwestern culture effectively?
3. Themes of Family and Community
Family, both biological and chosen, plays a significant role in the book. How do different characters experience family? What does the book say about the role of community in shaping who we become?
How does the book portray the idea of legacy—both culinary and personal? 4. Food and Memory
Food is central to this story. How does the novel explore the relationship between food and memory? Are there particular food descriptions or scenes that evoked strong emotions or memories for you?
How does food act as a form of storytelling or cultural preservation in the novel? 5. The Midwest Setting
How important is the Midwestern setting to the story? What aspects of the Midwest are celebrated or critiqued through the characters and their experiences?
Did the book challenge or reinforce any stereotypes you had about the Midwest? 6. Ambition and Talent
Eva is gifted but also faces obstacles. How does the novel explore the relationship between natural talent and hard work?
How do other characters’ ambitions and failures shape the story’s broader message about success? 7. Emotional Impact and Takeaways
Which characters’ stories resonated most with you, and why?
What did you find most inspiring or surprising about The Kitchens of the Great Midwest?
Would you recommend this book to others? What kind of reader do you think would enjoy it most?
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@TCBABES_SOCIALCLUB: 2 Truths and a Midwest Lie — Game with 12 Rounds Instructions:
For each round, read the three statements. Guess which one is the lie. Ready? Let’s go! Points System for the Game
Correctly identifying the Lie: 2 points
Incorrectly guessing the Lie: 0 points
Bonus — Naming one Truth correctly (optional): 1 point per truth identified (if you want to make it
trickier and reward deeper knowledge)
Example:
Round 1: Lie is #2
Player guesses #2 → 2 points
Player guesses #1 or #3 → 0 points
If doing bonus: if player also identifies one or both true statements correctly, give 1 point per truth
named.
Round 1
Wisconsin is known as “America’s Dairyland.”
The Mall of America is located in Illinois.
The Chicago Cubs play at Wrigley Field.
Round 2
The Gateway Arch is in St. Louis, Missouri.
The Great Lakes include Lake Tahoe.
Iowa is the leading corn producer in the
U.S.
Round 3
1. Nebraska is nicknamed the “Land of 10,000 Lakes.”
Round 4
1. Michigan has more lighthouses than any other state.
2. St. Paul is the capital of Illinois.
3. The first indoor shopping mall was built in
the Midwest.
Round 5
1. The famous Route 66 starts in Wisconsin. 2. The Chicago-style hot dog never has
ketchup.
3. The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is held in
South Dakota.
Round 6
Kansas is famous for its vast sunflower
fields. 2.The official state bird of Ohio is the 3. cardinal.
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Minnesota is home to the Mayo Clinic. The Mississippi River begins in Ohio. The Indy 500 is held in Indiana.
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Round 7
Round 12
The Twin Cities are Minneapolis and St. Louis.
Deep-dish pizza originated in Chicago.
The official state flower of Missouri is the
rose.
Round 8
Iowa hosts the first presidential caucuses every election year.
Ohio borders Canada.
The largest popcorn festival in the world is
held in Nebraska.
Round 9
Detroit is the capital of Michigan.
The famous “Jolly Green Giant” originated
in Minnesota.
Wisconsin’s state cheese is cheddar.
Round 10
Missouri is nicknamed the “Sunflower State.”
The “Sox” in Chicago are named after socks, not “sox” as in Sox.
North Dakota is known for its large oil production.
Round 11
Minnesota’s nickname is “The Prairie State.”
The University of Notre Dame is located in
Indiana.
The first Ferris wheel was invented in
Chicago.
1. The Detroit Lions play their home games in Ohio.
2. The term “Midwest” originally referred to areas west of the Appalachian Mountains.
3. The Cedar Point amusement park is in Ohio.
+3 POINTS FOR BONUS QUESTIONS
BONUS 1: Name a movie, book, or song that reminds you of the Midwest or fits the vibe of that round’s statements.
BONUS 2: Say a Midwest phrase, idiom, or slang word related to the round’s theme. Bonus points if everyone learns a new expression!
BONUS 3: Suggest a Midwest dish or restaurant related to the statements. Bonus if you explain why it’s your favorite!
TOTAL SCORE: ___________ TIE BREAKER: ____________
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