Gastronomy

An extraordinary look at an ordinary substance—and one we'd be dead without: salt. Salt has shaped civilization from the very beginning, and the story of this common household seasoning proves a fascinating one. In a kaleidoscope of history, Mark Kurlansky—bestselling author of  1968 and...

Bloomsbury presents No Reservations by Anthony Bourdain, read by Nathan Osgood. A behind-the-scenes travel journal of the beloved chef's global adventures. More than just a companion to the hugely popular Travel Channel show, No Reservations is Bourdain's journal of his far-flung travels. The...

An intimate, searing and hopeful memoir meets manifesto that reframes the way we think about restaurants, cooking, hospitality, leadership and humanity from one of the most respected chefs in the world. Chef and restaurateur Ben Shewry knows obsession well. Whether it's crispy-edged lasagne...

When you're cooking, you're a chemist! Every time you follow or modify a recipe you are experimenting with acids and bases, emulsions and suspensions, gels and foams. In your kitchen you denature proteins, crystallize compounds, react enzymes with substrates, and nurture desired microbial life...

Brought to you by Penguin. ‘I like to talk about wine the way normal humans talk about things they love – it’s not about showing off how many fancy wine terms I know. The point is to share something I love with someone else in a way that makes them want to love it too.’ Thirsty is the...

Bloomsbury presents Typhoid Mary by Anthony Bourdain, read by Nathan Osgood. From the host of Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown and bestselling author of Kitchen Confidential comes the true, thrilling story of Mary Mallon, otherwise known as the infamous Typhoid Mary. This is a tale of pursuit...

Michael Pollan, the bestselling author of The Omnivore's Dilemma, Food Rules, and How to Change Your Mind, explores the previously uncharted territory of his own kitchen in Cooked. Cooked is now a Netflix docuseries based on the book that focuses on the four kinds of "transformations" that occur...

In this major new history of English food, Clarissa Dickson Wright takes the reader on a journey from the time of the Second Crusade and the feasts of medieval kings to the cuisine - both good and bad - of the present day. She looks at the shifting influences on the national diet as new ideas...

USA TODAY Bestseller! Filled with accessible strategies to help you heal from within through the foods you eat, FOOD THERAPY explores the vital connection between nutrition, stress, and trauma recovery. Food is therapy—and the choices you make each day impact your capacity to heal from anxiety...

In her own words, here is the captivating story of Julia Child’s years in France, where she fell in love with French food and found her “true calling.” From the moment the ship docked in Le Havre, en route to Paris, in the fall of 1948, Julia had an awakening that changed her life. Soon...

'It's quite an achievement to shine a light of truth on the often idealised, always understated, role of the farmer's wife.' RAYNOR WINN 'True, unflinching, powerful, lyrical' KATE MOSSE 'Very moving, real and true.' AMY LIPTROT 'Authentic and affecting.' SARAH LANGFORD 'Lovely, warm and real...

A vivid memoir of food and family, survival and triumph, Love, Loss, and What We Ate traces the arc of Padma Lakshmi’s unlikely path from an immigrant childhood to a complicated life in front of the camera—a tantalizing blend of Ruth Reichl’s Tender at the Bone and Nora Ephron’s...

Throughout human history, certain drinks have done much more than just quench thirst. As Tom Standage relates with authority and charm, six of them have had a surprisingly pervasive influence on the course of history, becoming the defining drink during a pivotal historical period. A History of...

A WASHINGTON STATE BOOK AWARD FINALIST New York Times bestselling author William Alexander provides a fascinating and erudite micro-history of the tomato. "A captivating—and appetizing—read." —Amy Stewart, New York Times bestselling author of Wicked Plants The tomato gets no respect. Never...

THE INSTANT #1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER From award-winning writer Nigel Slater, comes a new and exquisitely written collection of notes, memoir, stories and small moments of joy. 'Nigel Slater’s prose is the rarest delicacy of all: exquisite yet effortless, filled with heart, tenderness...

You've seen the headlines: Parmesan cheese made from sawdust. Lobster rolls containing no lobster at all. Extra-virgin olive oil that isn't. Fake foods are in our supermarkets, our restaurants, and our kitchen cabinets. Award-winning food journalist and travel writer Larry Olmsted exposes this...

“This book grills up an enjoyable read for both avid foodies and novice diners alike! Perman’s sneak peek into the fascinating history of In-N-Out is as good as the delicious burgers themselves.” —Mario Batali, celebrity chef and author of Molto Italiano A behind-the-counter look at the...

Winner of the prestigious André Simon Drink Book Award The first definitive reference book to describe, region-by-region, how the great wines of Europe should taste. This will be the go-to guide for aspiring sommeliers, wine aficionados who want to improve their blind tasting skills, and...

A short history of Britain's favourite food and drink; from strawberries to spaghetti, tomatoes to tea, and how we have enjoyed them over the centuries. As a nation of food-lovers we have been munching on fruit and veg, drinking tea and coffee, and using oils and spices for generations, but have...

One of the New York Times Book Review's Ten Best Books of the Year Winner of the James Beard Award Author of #1 New York Times Bestsellers In Defense of Food and Food Rules What should we have for dinner? Ten years ago, Michael Pollan confronted us with this seemingly simple question and, with...

Culinary historian Anne Willan “has melded her passions for culinary history, writing, and teaching into her fascinating new book” (Chicago Tribune) that traces the origins of American cooking through profiles of twelve influential women—from Hannah Woolley in the mid-1600s to Fannie...

The inspiring and deeply personal memoir from highly acclaimed chef Dominique Crenn By the time Dominique Crenn decided to become a chef, at the age of twenty-one, she knew it was a near impossible dream in France where almost all restaurant kitchens were run by men. So, she left her home and...

Best-selling author Jeff Alworth takes serious beer aficionados on a behind-the-scenes tour of 26 major European and North American breweries that create some of the world's most classic beers. Learn how the Irish make stout, the secrets of traditional Czech pilsner, and what makes English cask...

Join Australian cook Adam Liaw as he investigates the science and history of our five tastes - sweet, bitter, salty, sour and umami.

“Searing…Jill Damatac tells the story of a fight for survival and culture in America.” —The New York Times “A fiercely honest, eye-opening view of one undocumented family’s experiences trying to start over in a new world.” —The San Francisco Chronicle In the style of Crying in H...

In her beloved first book, Braided, Dr. Beth Ricanati shared how making sacred bread, challah, every Friday for over a decade transformed her life. Now, in The Braided Prescription, she shares insights from her subsequent challah workshops with groups all over America and even abroad, distilling what she’s learned into seven attainable and powerful practices for managing stress in our daily lives.

Step into the sensory world of ancient culinary history and discover how indigenous foodways powered a mighty empire. Experience the sights, sounds, and smoky aromas of a high Andean dawn, where harsh mountain elements demanded unparalleled agricultural ingenuity. Perfect for your daily commute...

Experience the gritty culinary history of early American settlement, where daily survival meant outsmarting starvation. Perfect for an educational commute, this immersive narrative drops you into the freezing, wind-scoured shoreline camps of 17th-century New England. Witness a fragile community...

Step into the smoky kitchens of an ancient civilization and experience Mesoamerican culinary history through daily life. Perfect for your morning commute or while cooking dinner, this atmospheric audio journey transports you directly to the bustling markets and sun-drenched chinampa fields of...

Shift from wealthy pharaohs to ordinary builders in this immersive dive into ancient food anthropology. Perfect for your daily commute, this sensory journey brings you straight into the bustling kitchens, bakeries, and beer breweries of the Giza workers' village. Discover how monumental...

Uncover how nomads fueled history's largest empire using revolutionary culinary logistics and gritty survival tactics. This immersive historical journey is the perfect companion for your daily commute, transporting you straight into the smoky, moving kitchens of the Eurasian steppe. Feel the...

Shatter modern sushi myths and devour the immersive culinary history of what peasants and samurai truly ate to survive. Whether you are commuting or cooking at home, this atmospheric journey transports you directly into the bustling street markets, muddy rice paddies, and smoky hearths of the...

Step into the roaring hearths of 16th-century England and experience an immersive culinary history of a royal banquet. Perfect for transforming a mundane commute into a transportive escape, this vibrant narrative brings the sights, sounds, and smoke of a sprawling household directly to your ears...

Step into the gritty reality of maritime history, where rancid meat and stone-hard bread dictated human survival at sea. Perfect for your daily commute, this atmospheric journey transports you below billowing sails into cramped, reeking mess decks. Beyond romanticized myths of oceanic...

Step into the gritty reality of medieval European history, where stopping food decay was a life-or-death daily struggle. This immersive culinary journey transports you to damp village markets and smoky manor houses, revealing the ingenious survival methods of peasants, monks, and nobles. Perfect...

This engaging narrative history reveals how a feared fizz became the global icon of luxury and celebration. Perfect for a relaxing evening commute or unwinding on the weekend, this sophisticated journey takes you from chilly monastic cellars to glittering royal courts. Prepare to captivate your...

Uncover the captivating culinary history behind everyday rituals, transforming how you experience your next meal out. Whether you are grabbing a quick coffee on your morning commute or navigating the butterflies of a first date, these shared public spaces shape our lives. Step into a warm...

Trace the thrilling culinary history of the craft cocktail, from medicinal roots to global cultural phenomenon. Perfect for an evening commute or while unwinding after a long day, this witty, conversational narrative transports you directly into the bustling taverns, smoky speakeasies, and...

Trace the dark, sensory food history of a bitter rainforest seed that fueled global trade and conquered the modern world. Perfect for your commute, this immersive journey transports you to the Mesoamerican jungles where cacao was worshipped as a divine elixir. Experience the intoxicating blend...

Uncover the culinary history and human evolution shaping our modern diets, from ancient campfires to supermarkets. Perfect for your daily commute or while cooking dinner, this immersive journey reframes your relationship with nutrition. Leave behind the endless modern fads and step into a...

Uncover the captivating culinary history and food science of how controlled spoilage became our tastiest survival tool. Whether you are commuting to work or relaxing in the kitchen preparing dinner, this awe-inspiring microhistory will satisfy your intellectual curiosity. By mastering the...

Uncover the forgotten food history and ancient ethical philosophy driving the global plant-based dietary movement. Perfect for a thoughtful daily commute, this reflective journey travels from the spiritual asceticism of ancient India and Greece to modern environmental activism. See how a...

Discover how a humble mountain shrub ignited a ruthless era of global trade, imperialism, and epic historical conflict. Perfect for an eye-opening morning commute, this immersive history traces a bitter medicinal brew's dramatic transformation into the world's most powerful beverage. Listen as...

Explore a savory culinary history and American road trip revealing how slow-cooked meat built deep cultural identities. Beyond mere recipes, this immersive audio journey transports you to smokehouses, backyard pits, and small-town joints. It is the perfect nostalgic companion for your daily...

Uncover the industrial history of how a metal cylinder beat starvation and revolutionized global food science. Perfect for an engaging morning commute, this captivating narrative transports you from perilous polar expeditions to the bloody frontlines of war, where human survival depended...

Trace the epic food history of a melting indulgence that evolved from a symbol of imperial power to an everyday comfort. Whether you are seeking a fascinating companion for your daily commute or looking to relax with an engaging story, this journey transports you from the icy mountains of...

Uncover the messy food history of trade, migration, and cultural identity hidden inside your favorite everyday meal. Perfect for unwinding after a long day or listening while you cook dinner, this cozy, informative narrative sweeps you from ancient Mediterranean grain fields to bustling modern...

Trace the mouth-watering culinary history of how a cheap street snack transformed into a massive global icon. Whether you are commuting to work or cooking a weekend meal, this engaging journey through social history will completely change how you view your favorite comfort food. From the ancient...

Discover how a humble dough of wheat and water sparked a global culinary revolution in this captivating food history. Perfect for an entertaining daily commute or while relaxing and simmering sauce for a weeknight dinner, this comforting narrative transforms a simple pantry staple into an epic...

Master the glamorous culinary art of mixology and transform your home bar into a sophisticated golden age speakeasy. Whether you are unwinding after a long workday or prepping for an elegant dinner party, this sensory-rich history lesson serves up the perfect pour. Pull up a stool as a seasoned...