Four centuries of cooks, writers, and recipes

The Cookbook Library — by Anne Willan, Mark Cherniavsky, and Kyri Claflin — is a fascinating history of cookbooks for foodies. Beautifully written it’s a must-have for anyone who finds themselves glued to the likes of Food TV. Here are 10 reasons why we loved it and think you will too!

1. The dome explores the origins of the modern cookbook, which date back to the invention of printing.

2. The authors trace the development of a recipe as it evolves through four centuries.

3. As a reader you gain insight on how recipe measurements have changed over time.

4. You will learn how through history, recipe authors’ voices have changed.

5. The book offers four centuries of historical recipes modernized for the home kitchen.

6. The book draws from Anne Willan’s and Mark Cherniavsky’s 400-volume personal collection of antiquarian cookbooks dating as far back as 1491.

7. The dome offers a comprehensive look at life in, and outside of, the kitchen from 1474 to 1830.

8. Highlights subjects as divers as the medieval kitchen, the role of women in the kitchen, and ingredients from the New World.

9. 120 historical images drawn from antiquarian cookbooks and culinary prints are included.

10. It’s rare to find a foodie book that’s both scholarly and incredibly fun to read.

All this talk about food history has made us hungry…

Dish with us: Do you consider yourself a foodie?