Description
Book SynopsisWhy did the passion for food-gastronomy-originate in France? The key, it turns out, is France itself. In its climate, diversity of soils, abundant resources, and varied topography lie the roots of France's food fame. Pitte masterfully reveals the ways in which cultural phenomena surrounding food and eating in France relate to space and place.
Trade ReviewWill satisfy your hunger for knowledge while whetting your appetite for French food. France Today [Pitte's] charming, concise history reveals the development of the national taste... Pitte balances his hearty dishes with historical realities in this entertaining and probing addition to Columbia's Arts and Traditions of the Table series. Publishers Weekly Pitte's remarkable ruminations... offer new insights into the French psyche. Booklist To study the gastronomy of France, or any country's gastronomy, through the geographer's palate and eyes, makes perfect sense. Topography and climatic conditions, more than any other factors, define the lifestyle of people as well as their mood and eating habits. Furthermore, it's these differences in soils and climate which give us the Basque piperade, the potee of Savoy, the quenelles of Lyon, the filet of sole Normande, and the beckenoffe of Alsace. Vive la difference! -- Jacques Pepin Thought-provoking and original table talk from the academy. Kirkus Reviews Lively... leavened with humor and graceful translation. Bloomsbury Review Interesting, witty, and erudite. Rain Taxi
Table of ContentsPreface: The "Kugelhopf" Mold List of Maps Introduction: On France's Gastronomic Passion 1. France: The Land of Milk and Honey or the Old Country of Gourmands? 2. Is Gourmandism a Sin in France? 3. Governing at the Table: Birth of a Model 4. The Gastronomic Restaurant, or "Haute Cuisine" on the Streets Epilogue: Foods That Have a Soul: A Map of the Future for France
