James Chatto, author, friend and colleague, co-authors W.L. Martin and Joseph Sproule planted a seed in 2020 which grew and matured over a period of several years and became embellished with anecdotes and little-known, fascinating historical facts. Acquired Tastes, a rare book indeed, has now been launched into the worlds bookosphere.
The launch party was held at Naari, the latest project of international gourmet and prolific restaurateur Hemant Bhagwani. Local literati and glitterati came to pay their respects, indulge in some scrumptious Thai cuisine, and pick up a personally signed copy of Acquired Tastes to take home.
Like many guests I am sure, I got into my bed with Acquired Tastes and looked through the Table of Contents heralding the lives and recipes of eight Culinary Ambassadors. Who are these people? I began to learn the obscure and fascinating history of the subject (food and dining) that I have been writing about for over forty years.
The first Chapter on Maria Guyomar de Pinha and how she introduced traditional Portuguese convent sweets to the Court of Siam in the 1680s is still remembered in Thailand. Her history as a devout teenage girl who became a French Countess and was later dragged down into servitude. But we’re talking now about the dish which became the dessert, Golden Threads. The recipe allows you to make these in your own kitchen, or where to find them at a bakery in Little Portugal in Toronto.
I keep turning pages with awe and fascination to the chapter on Bona Sforza, Queen of Poland, Grand Duchess of Lithuania and Duchess of Bari (1494-1557). She is credited with introducing vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, green beans, celery, carrots, parsnips, artichokes and lettuce to Poland. Upon her marriage to King Sigismund, the legend goes, she arrived in Krakow with her own gardeners and seeds as well as Italian Chefs who cooked for her. Her story is unique and actually emotionally enriching. And there are recipes like Bona’s Lasagne (c 1520). This period of the reign of Queen Bona and King Sigismund became known as “The Golden Age” of the Polish Renaissance.
These historical culinary vignettes through the centuries to the dishes we are eating today leave me incredulous. I see a television series in every chapter so far. Are you listening Netflix?
I can’t put this book down, and when I raise my sleepy eyes from the pages, I‘m shocked to see that it is already 2:00 a.m. Lights out. Now!
For anyone who has ever considered themselves a “foodie” or if you aspire to that designation, Acquired Tastes is a must read.
Acquired Tastes, 262 pages, Jame Chatto, W.L. Martin, Jospeh Sproule, Pub. AEVO University of Toronto Press