Tailgreat by John Currence – Hardback Cookbook

Tailgreat is John Currence's hardback guide to game-day food, from the James Beard Award-winning chef behind City Grocery in Oxford, Mississippi, and it's all about feeding a crowd with flavour that beats chips and dip. Wings, pulled pork, snacks and cocktails, plus the know-how to get it all to the party.

Game day, but make it great

Oxford, Mississippi is home to Ole Miss and some of the most serious tailgating in America, and John Currence has been feeding fans there for years. He's a celebrated Southern chef, but this book is pure fun: proof that pre-game food can be properly good.

What's inside

The recipes cover the whole spread you'd want at a tailgate: cocktails, sandwiches, snacks and grill-ables, with global influences mixed through the Southern classics. Currence adds tips on transporting food, setting up and hosting big groups.

Standouts include Korean BBQ Wings, Sweet Mustard Pulled Pork, Grilled Corn Guacamole, NOLA Roast Beef Po'Boy Bites, Asian Duck Meatball Lettuce Wraps, Spicy Fried Chicken Buttered Popcorn and Black-Eyed Pea Falafel with Tzatziki Pita Pockets.

Who it's for

Anyone who hosts for the big game, from AFL grand final barbecues to a day at the cricket. Most recipes suit home cooks of any level, and there's plenty for the grill and smoker crowd.

About John Currence

John Currence is the chef and owner behind City Grocery, Big Bad Breakfast, Bouré and Snackbar in Oxford, Mississippi. A James Beard Award winner and Top Chef Masters contestant, he's also the author of Pickles, Pigs & Whiskey and Big Bad Breakfast.

The Rub Smuggler's Verdict

The Smuggler swears by this one for any day with a scoreboard. It's a crowd-feeding playbook from a top Southern chef who refuses to serve sad dip. The Korean BBQ Wings are the star, sticky and loud, and they vanish before the first bounce. Bring it home and you'll win the day before the game even starts. Pair it with Wing Crush for a hundred more ways with wings, and Big Moe's Book of BBQ for proper smoked mains. Glaze your wings with ChamCham Smoky Gochujang in the last few minutes.

Questions answered

Who wrote Tailgreat?

Tailgreat was written by John Currence, the James Beard Award-winning chef behind City Grocery and Big Bad Breakfast in Oxford, Mississippi.

What's inside Tailgreat?

Game-day cocktails, sandwiches, snacks and grill-ables such as Korean BBQ Wings and Sweet Mustard Pulled Pork, plus tips for transporting food and hosting crowds.

Is Tailgreat good for beginners?

Yes. It's a fun, practical book, and most recipes suit home cooks of any level.

Is Tailgreat a hardback, and how many pages?

Yes. It's a 256-page hardback published by Ten Speed Press in 2020.

Is Tailgreat only for American football?

Not at all. It's built around tailgating, but the food works for any big day out, from a grand final barbecue to a day at the cricket.