Princess Pamela.

Princess Pamela's Soul Food Cookbook.

New York: New American Library/Signet, 1969.

Mass market paperback, 248 pages. First edition of this cookbook, from the chef and owner of one of Craig Claiborne's favorite "soul food spots", Princess Pamela's Little Kitchen. Princess Pamela's original restaurant was founded in the 1960s on East 10th Street in the East Village. It later moved to East 1st Street, just off Houston, where I had the pleasure of my first soul food meal. Princess Pamela spent much her time sitting on a throne, which took up more space than was available, and she would interview customers to see if they were worthy to use the bathroom. She had a waitress, Ada I think, who obviously despised the customers, and spent the entire service muttering under her breath about "honky tourists". A classic New York restaurant experience. A very good copy, with a tiny stain on the front wrapper, and a tiny bit of edgewear. Scarce.