Repast: The Story of Food

Our insatiable appetite for creativity in the kitchen—or around the open fire—is reflected in the fascinating objects explored in this book. Written by food writer Jenny Linford in collaboration with the British Museum, Repast focuses on artifacts in the museum’s collection—from ancient clay cooking vessels to exquisite gold cups—spanning multiple continents and dating from prehistory to the modern day.

Taking a broadly chronological approach to the subject, the book is arranged into thirteen thematic chapters, starting with explorations of hunting and gathering and ending with the history of eating out; along the way, agriculture, alcohol, and cooking—among other subjects—are also investigated. Interspersed among the many remarkable objects examined in each chapter is a series of in-depth essays on such topics as tea (the world’s most consumed drink after water), pork (one of the world's most consumed meats), and wheat (the source of 20 percent of the world's human calorie consumption), revealing the many social, cultural, and religious aspects of food.

Through a feast of words and images, Repast presents the irresistible, international story of food, drink, and the culinary arts.