Irvington resident Shana Liebman and her co-author and pitmaster Hugh Mangum, take readers on a world tour of barbecue traditions in this collection of recipes from more than 80 countries. The book’s recipes span styles and techniques, from American smoked brisket, Ethiopian berbere-spiced ribs, and Mexican barbacoa to Italian porchetta, Indonesian pork satay, Spanish coal-roasted vegetables, and the Australian barbecue fare known as “Snags.”
River Journal asked Liebman to tell us a little more about her book, her process and life in the River Towns.
River Journal: Give us a brief synopsis of your book.
Shana Liebman: This decadent cookbook offers a comprehensive and delicious tour across barbecue traditions, food cultures, and cooking techniques over 80 countries around the globe. With more than 270 home-cooking recipes, Barbecue is an encyclopedic, refreshing, and mouth-watering glimpse into one of the world’s most beloved culinary practices.
RJ: How long have you been writing?
SL: I have been writing since I was very young.
RJ: Is this your first published book?
SL: I edited the anthology Sex, Drugs & Gefilte Fish: The Heeb Storytelling Collection. Published by Hachette in 2009.
RJ: How long did it take to write your book?
SL: Two years.
RJ: For benefit of other writers, briefly describe your writing process.
SL: For this book, I researched daily for several hours a day for a year and then wrote all the recipes and headnotes in one year.
RJ: Any advice for those who may struggle with writers’ block or other writing challenges?
SL: Write every day at the same time. Quiet the inner critic when you write.
RJ: What attracted you to this region to raise a family?
SL: The schools and the small community.
RJ: Do you have favorite local hangouts to dine, shop, socialize, escape, chill?
SL: I like Climbing Wolf, Chutney Masala, MP Taverna, Hudco/Picture Book, Don Caravale.
RJ: Do you belong to any local civic or social or volunteer organizations?
SL: Yes, I am the co-chair of the Irvington Theater.
Barbecue: Smoked & Grilled Recipes from Across the Globe
By Hugh Mangum with Shana Liebman
Publisher: Phaidon May 2025
Price: $49.95
Available at Picture Book (Dobbs Ferry), Transom Books (Tarrytown) and Amazon
