Food: The History of Taste - Hardcover

'Food: The History of Taste shows us that, since Homer, the foods we eat have reflected our culture's most closely held values and understanding of our place in the world. Taste, this book reminds us, is an essential part of civilization' - Alice Waters, founder of Chez Panisse restaurant, California 'A savoury collection ... splendidly illustrated ... the perfect present for the curious foodie in your life' - Observer 'A fascinating and ambitious look at why we eat what we eat ... I couldn't put it down' - Ruth Reichl, editor-in-chief Gourmet magazine.

This book is the first to apply the discoveries of the new generation of food historians worldwide to the unashamedly romantic appeal of the subject: to the culinary accomplishments of diverse civilizations, past and present, and to the pleasures of dining. The result is truly a history of taste: our most elevated, elegant and pleasurable thoughts about food - ingredients, preparation, presentation - since prehistory. From beginning to end this is an enthralling and richly illustrated story of one of the most vital clues not just to what keeps us alive, but to what makes us feel alive.

Table of Contents

Introduction: A New History of Cuisine · 1. Hunter-Gatherers and the First Farmers · 2. The Good Things That Lay at Hand · 3. The Quest for Perfect Balance · 4. The Pleasures of Consumption · 5. Feasting and Fasting · 6. New Worlds, New Tastes · 7. The Birth of the Consumer Age · 8. Chefs, Gourmets and Gourmands · 9. Dining Out · 10. Novelty and Tradition – The New Landscape for Gastronomy