The Incredible History of Cooking (French): From Prehistory to Today, 500,000 Years of Adventure by B. Simmat & S. Douay

The Incredible History of Cooking: From Prehistory to the Present Day, 500,000 Years of Adventure is a unique book that tells the story of humanity's evolution through the history of cooking. For the first time, this culinary adventure is presented in the form of a comic book, accessible to everyone, from the curious to the gourmet. This book, written by Benoist Simmat, author of the bestselling "The Incredible History of Wine," and illustrated by Stéphane Douay, offers a fascinating look at the evolution of cooking from the discovery of fire to the present day.

As soon as humans mastered fire, they began to cook. But did you know that our Sapiens ancestors had already imagined modern techniques like steam cooking and even freezing? The Mesopotamians were the first to create soups, bread, beer, and even ovens. The history of gastronomy doesn’t stop there: it has been a symbol of political power through the ages.

With the arrival of the Great Discoveries, our way of eating changed profoundly. The conquistadors brought back spices, peppers, and potatoes from America, while Portuguese missionaries introduced the frying technique to Japan, giving birth to the famous tempuras. This is one of the first stages of culinary globalization.

The 19th century marks the arrival of industrial cooking, driven by the industrial revolution. The first agri-food industries emerged, introducing a standardization of culinary practices. However, in the 21st century, movements like the organic revolution and locavore respond to this standardization, advocating a return to the roots and to more sustainable and local cooking.

The book ends with a gourmet touch, featuring 22 historical recipes from the different eras mentioned throughout the book. These recipes, easy to reproduce, allow readers to literally dive into history by tasting the dishes that marked the various epochs of our civilization.

With its accessible, fun, and informative approach, The Incredible History of Cooking is a must-have for anyone interested in the history of food and the roots of our modern gastronomy.

Product Features:

• Title: The Incredible History of Cooking: From Prehistory to the Present Day, 500,000 Years of Adventure
• Author: Benoist Simmat
• Illustrator: Stéphane Douay
• Publisher: Les Arènes
• Publication Date: 11/18/2021
• Format: Paperback
• Number of Pages: 238
• Dimensions: 25.5 x 18.3 x 2.3 cm
• Weight: 716 g
• Language: French
• EAN13: 9791037505286
• ISBN: 979-10-375-0528-6