A History of the Food of Paris

The history of Parisian food is covered in this captivating tour of the physical city and its culinary heritage from the time of its first inhabitants through today. The author takes a look at its markets, its eateries, its immigrant groups and their food, its drinks, its cookbooks, and the dishes and recipes that exemplify the city’s offerings.

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Paris has played a unique role in world gastronomy, influencing cooks and gourmets across the world. It has served as a focal point not only for its own cuisine, but for regional specialties from across France. For tourists, its food remains one of the great attractions of the city itself. Yet the history of this food remains largely unknown. A History of the Food of Paris brings together archaeology, historical records, memoirs, statutes, literature, guidebooks, news items, and other sources to paint a sweeping portrait of the city’s food from the Neanderthals to today’s bistros and food trucks. The colorful history of the city’s markets, its restaurants and their predecessors, of immigrant food, even of its various drinks appears here in all its often surprising variety, revealing new sides of this endlessly fascinating city.