When you think of Dolly Parton, world peace might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But the legendary singer, actress, and businesswoman has a unique take on bringing people together. And guess what? It involves chicken and dumplings. “What can bring families or friends together more than good food?” Dolly asks thoughtfully. “You can put your differences aside if your dumplings are good enough.”
It’s no secret that Dolly Parton wears many hats—singer, actress, and even promoter of world peace. Now, she’s adding cookbook author to her impressive résumé. Her latest project, Good Lookin’ Cookin’, is a cookbook she coauthored with her sister, Rachel Parton George. As the youngest of the 12 Parton children, Rachel brings a personal touch to the project. “It was a joy all the way around to work on something creative together,” Dolly says with a smile. The book is more than just recipes—it’s a celebration of their childhood in Sevierville, Tennessee.
The cookbook is deeply personal, evoking memories of their childhood in the Smoky Mountains. One dish that stands out is their mother, Avie Lee’s, macaroni with tomato juice, bacon grease, and butter. “That was like Mama’s medicine,” Dolly reminisces fondly. Whenever they were sick, their mom would whip up this comforting dish, and it became a staple in their household. Avie Lee also taught them how to prepare game meats like rabbits and squirrels that their brothers or father brought home. Dolly chuckles, “Good cooks can make almost anything taste good.”
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Family Traditions and Learning the Art of Cooking
Growing up, Dolly and her siblings rarely ate out. If they did, it was at casual, down-to-earth places. “I remember feeling awkward for a long time, being from the country, when I first came to Nashville and had to go have meetings in restaurants,” Dolly confides. She admits that even today, she’s still a little unsure about which fork or glass to use at fancy dinners. “Even to this day, I’m not sure I know how to do all that,” she says with a laugh. But that’s what makes Dolly so relatable—she’s real, honest, and unapologetically herself.
One of her funniest memories involves a misunderstanding with corned beef and cabbage. Dolly and Rachel once ordered the dish, expecting to find corn in it. When the waiter approached, he gently informed them, “Well, um, you didn’t order corn.” Dolly replied, “Well, it said corn beef. Could you bring us some corn?” It’s moments like these that remind us of Dolly’s down-to-earth charm and humor.
Today, Dolly is thrilled to share her family’s culinary traditions with fans who may have grown up in very different circumstances. “I’ve always been proud of who I am, where I’m from, and what I ate,” she says. But don’t expect her to spill all her secrets. When it comes to her famous chicken and dumplings, Dolly keeps the recipe close to her heart. “That recipe’s not even in the book,” she reveals with a twinkle in her eye. “Everybody wants me to give them the recipe. I say, ‘I am not doing it. … You’re just going to have to miss me and say, ‘God, I wish she was still here.’”
