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Tennessee

Tennessee touches on eight other states. Only Missouri (itself a border state with Tennessee) makes contact with as many states. The name Tennessee comes from the name of a Cherokee settlement, Tanase. The origin of Tennessee’s nickname, the Volunteer State, goes back to the War of 1812, when Tennessean volunteers fought to defend the lower Mississippi against British invasion. Around the time of the American Civil War, Tennessee was known as the Hog and Hominy State. The nickname faded away, but pork and corn remain important in Tennessee today. Corn feeds Tennessee’s famous whiskey production. Country-cured ham and red-eye gravy (made with coffee and served with biscuits or grits) remains a classic. Memphis is one of America’s great barbecue capitals (where pork has primacy). The Memphis in May festival features the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. Historically, the cuisine of Tennessee divided up like the terrain. In the eastern hill country, game meats were popular. In the center and west, between Nashville and Memphis, the cuisine often reflected the plantation style of cooking and the influence of African-Americans and Europeans.

	Featured Cook KELLBEE Cooking Level: Expert Home Town: Mountain Home, Arkansas, USA Living In: Nashville, Tennessee, USA
About me: When I was younger, my mother rarely cooked. (She claims it's because we wouldn't eat what she fixed.) So, out of necessity, I had to learn to cook! However, I never complained because I found it to be a relaxing and enjoyable activity. My Profile | Reviews | Photos | Recipes | Menus Favorite Food Lists Create your own Cook's Profile | MORE Cooks »