Culinary Biographies: A Dictionary of the World's Great Historic Chefs, Cookbook Authors and Collectors, Farmers, Gourmets, Home Economists, Nutritionists, Restaurateurs, Philosophers, Physicians, Scientists, Writers, and Others who Influenced the Way We Eat Today Alice Arndt "Culinary Biographies was created to fill the need for a biographical dictionary of gastronomy. Too often the historic individuals whose work with food was important in their own time have been forgotten today, or, if they do appear in some encyclopedia, are included for their achievements in another field. Thus, Pythagoras' mathematical theories overshadow his vegetarian philosophy, Joel Barlow's diplomatic service has eclipsed his "Hasty Pudding," and Sarah Josepha Hale's reputation is tied up with her magazine's fashion plates (which she disliked) instead of her many cookbooks and household manuals. This volume remembers these influential persons and their culinary accomplishments with a biography and, wherever possible, a portrait, from Friedrich Accum to Ziryab, from Pythagoras in the sixth century BC to Julia Child in the 21st century, from agriculturalists to poets, and across the globe from America to China. Among the biographies are famous characters such as the great chef Taillevent; the national cookbook author Pellegrino Artusi; Columella, the teacher of agriculture; the influential artist Rosanjin; Procope the prominent restaurateur; Avicenna the polymath physician who was concerned with diet and health; and the sensual writer M.F.K. Fisher. But there are also many others, less well known, whose stories are both entertaining and informative, and very well told by the contributors! The biographies are followed by three indices in which the subjects are listed by name (and variations of their names), by profession and by country. There is a chronological list of significant culinary texts that links the texts to their authors, who can be found in the main body of the book. Our learned contributors are also listed and identified." -- Publisher. |
