The accomplisht cook / or, The art & mystery of cookery

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

22790

Title

The accomplisht cook / or, The art & mystery of cookery

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Robert May's 1685 culinary masterpiece reveals the art of cooking with over 200 illustrated recipes for meats, fowl, and fish. This edition expands on his fifty-five years of experience, offering elegant sauces, carving techniques, and diet advice for health and sickness. A vital resource for historical gastronomy, it balances high-society hospitality with practical guidance for home cooks.

Summary up to 500 words

In 'The Accomplisht Cook, or, The Art & Mystery of Cookery,' Robert May presents a definitive guide to the culinary arts, synthesizing his fifty-five years of service to noble patrons with extensive travels in France and Italy. Published in 1685, the work serves as both a technical manual and a celebration of the era's golden age of hospitality. May details the preparation of diverse dishes, ranging from roasted sturgeon and various pies to delicate sauces and preserving techniques. He emphasizes the importance of quality ingredients, proper seasoning, and the use of fresh herbs, while also providing specific instructions for carving, sewing, and managing a kitchen staff that reflect the professional standards of the time. The text is enriched by numerous illustrations of pastry forms and fish preparations, making it an invaluable historical document for understanding 17th-century English cuisine and the social customs surrounding food and dining. May addresses dietary needs for the sick, integrating medical knowledge with culinary practice, and includes recipes for preserving, conserving, candying, and distilling. Throughout the work, he defends the profession against critics who hoard secrets, arguing that sharing knowledge benefits society. He acknowledges the influence of Italian and Spanish treatises but asserts that his own experience and the generous support of his patrons allowed him to surpass previous authors. The book is designed to be accessible to all, offering recipes for both high-priced delicacies and simpler dishes suitable for those with limited means. By revealing the 'mystery' of cookery, May aims to encourage young practitioners and elevate the status of the culinary profession, ensuring that the art of hospitality is preserved for future generations.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/22790.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg22790.epub

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Categories

• Cooking