A delicious serving of macaroni and cheese prepared at Daddy D'z BBQ Joynt in Atlanta.
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A delicious serving of macaroni and cheese prepared at Daddy D'z BBQ Joynt in Atlanta. / On Second Thought.

All this year, we have raised a glass to Southern food. From sweet tea to fried chicken, every Southern dish tells a story. Southern food scholar Adrian Miller and Ashli Stokes of the Center for the Study of the New South helped us dig into the history of mac and cheese, and how the creamy dish helps us understand Southern identity. 

Ashli Stokes is co-author of the book “Consuming Identity: The Role of Food in Redefining the South."

Adrian Miller is author of the book "Soul Food: The Surprising Story of an American Cuisine, One Plate at a Time."