Historic Heston

British gastronomy has a grand old tradition that has been lost over time. Now our most inventive chef is out to reclaim it. Heston Blumenthal, whose name is synonymous with cutting-edge cuisine, still finds his greatest source of inspiration in the unique and delicious food that our sceptered isle once produced. This has been the secret to his success at world-famous restaurants The Fat Duck and Dinner, where a contrast between old and new, modern and historic, is key.

Historic Heston charts a quest for identity through the best of British cooking that stretches from medieval to late-Victorian recipes. Start with twenty-eight historic dishes, take them apart, put them together again and what have you got? A sublime twenty-first-century take on delicacies including meat fruit (1500), quaking pudding (1660) and mock turtle soup (1892). Heston examines the history behind each one's invention and the science that makes it work. He puts these dishes in their social context and follows obscure culinary trails, ferreting out such curious sources as The Queen-like Closet from 1672 (which offers an excellent method for drying goose). What it adds up to is an idiosyncratic culinary history of Britain.

This glorious book also gives a unique insight into the way that Heston works, with signature dishes from both The Fat Duck and the double Michelin-starred Dinner. With a beautiful cover illustrated by the genius that is Dave McKean, his illustrations throughout, and some of the most superb food photography you'll ever see, Historic Heston is a book to treasure. You think you know about British cooking? Think again.

“"There has never been a book like this . . . I could happily spend several days with this book and not even enter the kitchen." -- Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue "Dazzling . . . There's culinary sorcery at every turn." -- Time Out New York "It's nearly impossible to sum up the awesomeness of this exquisitely packaged amalgamation of photographic still lifes, illustrations, and historic recipes. Lauded British chef Heston Blumenthal gives us a collector's item, a time capsule, and the ideal holiday gift all wrapped into one." -- Daily Candy "[A] book that defies description . . . A headfirst dive down the rabbit hole, with Blumenthal as the Mad Hatter." -- William Grimes, The New York Times Book Review”

What fun it is to follow in this gastro-wizard's footsteps Observer Food Monthly A gourmand's grimoire -- Niki Segnit Sunday Times Incredible ... a massive must-have -- Tom Kerridge Observer His books are as fat, rich and complex as his food The Times Gift-wrapped with swathes of cultural history and culinary tales and topped with breathtaking photography and ingenious artwork Food & Travel A feast for the eyes Saga Epic ... Enchanting artworks, well-researched histories and an insight into the workings of Blumenthal's kitchens make this a stunning collection Square Meal Lifestyle Gorgeous ... Beautifully designed, bound, slip-cased and illustrated ... Blumenthal is a genius Daily Telegraph The Willy Wonka of the culinary world ... With photography that brings to mind a Tim Walker shoot, this is so much more than a cookbook Elle Magazine Both appetising and interesting, Historic Heston is for curious cooks -- Rose Prince Daily Telegraph Steam-punk splendour Literary Review

Entirely self-taught, Heston Blumenthal is the most progressive chef of his generation. In 2004 he won the coveted three Michelin stars in near-record time for his restaurant The Fat Duck. It has repeatedly been voted into the top ten of the World's Best Restaurants by an international panel of 800 experts, as has his second restaurant, the double-Michelin-starred Dinner. In 2006 he was awarded an OBE.

British gastronomy has a grand old tradition that has been lost over time. Now our most inventive chef is out to reclaim it. Heston Blumenthal, whose name is synonymous with cutting-edge cuisine, still finds his greatest source of inspiration in the unique and delicious food that our sceptered isle once produced. This has been the secret to his success at world-famous restaurants The Fat Duck and Dinner, where a contrast between old and new, modern and historic, is key...Historic Heston charts a quest for identity through the best of British cooking that stretches from medieval to late-Victorian recipes. Start with twenty-eight historic dishes, take them apart, put them together again and what have you got? A sublime twenty-first-century take on delicacies including meat fruit (1500), quaking pudding (1660) and mock turtle soup (1892). Heston examines the history behind each one's invention and the science that makes it work. He puts these dishes in their social context and follows obscure culinary trails, ferreting out such curious sources as The Queen-like Closet from 1672 (which offers an excellent method for drying goose). What it adds up to is an idiosyncratic culinary history of Britain...This glorious book also gives a unique insight into the way that Heston works, with signature dishes from both The Fat Duck and the double Michelin-starred Dinner. With a beautiful cover illustrated by the genius that is Dave McKean, his illustrations throughout, and some of the most superb food photography you'll ever see, Historic Heston is a book to treasure. You think you know about British cooking? Think again.

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