Francine Segan: Food Historian, Author, Public Speaker: The Philosopher's Kitchen

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by Francine Segan

Photographs by Tim Turner

COMMENTS

"I find the complexity of the dishes and variety of the ingredients amazing. Francine does a wonderful job of translating ancient recipes for use in today's kitchen."

Jean Georges Vongerichten
Restaurateur and cookbook author

"I very much enjoyed Shakespeare's Kitchen by Miss Segan and am delighted that she has continued her exploration of our gastronomic heritage with this new book about the foods of ancient Rome and Greece. It is said that history repeats itself and it is nice to see that this holds true of the culinary arts as well - the dishes in the Philosopher's Kitchen translate well (or, better yet, have been well translated!) to the modern palate. Delicious! "

Daniel Boulud
Db Bistro Moderne and Café Boulud,
New York and Palm Beach

"Francine Segan has gifted us with a stunning gustatory link to the gastronomic culture of the ancient Greeks and Romans. These delectable, timeless, and earthy recipes reaffirm a beautiful and intangible aspect of cooking-that what nourished the souls and bellies of long ago is still the best of what brings us together at the table today."

Mario Batali
Babbo, Lupa, Esca, Otto
and Casa Mono

"Francine Segan reveals what the ancient philosopher's knew: that delicious food sparks witty, thoughtful conversation, and that the kitchen may be where an appreciation for life's pleasures begins. Segan takes us on a culinary odyssey, updating the recipes of ancient Greece and Rome, adding tempting ideas for the present, and providing us with ample food for thought."

Michael Lomonaco
New York restauranteer
and television host

"As you peruse through these pages I think you, too, will experience the astonishing and enchanting conjunction of past and present. The Philosopher's Kitchen will most surely inspire you to experiment in your kitchen with the time-honored flavors of classical cuisine. These exotic but simple recipes-updated and adapted to accommodate modern ingredients-will surely feature prominently among the memorable and delectable meals you create for family and friends. Kali Oreksi,"

Jim Botsacos
Molyvos, New York City

"A beautiful book -- gourmet in every sense."

Olympia Dukakis
Academy Award winning actress

"The culture of the ancient Greeks and Romans is not simply a matter of annals and epics. Francine Segan shows that we can learn as much about their way of life from what they cooked and ate. In this delicious pot-pourri of recipes and history, we can re-create what Socrates might have had for lunch and devise a menu for one of Cicero's fabled dinner parties. A wonderful sequel to the same author's Shakespeare's Kitchen."

Anthony Everitt
Award-winning author of Cicero

"Along with a succinctly brilliant survey of the legacy of ancient Greek and Roman values that affect our daily lives, Francine Segan's well researched book has filled a gap by reminding us of the rather underestimated classical culinary legacy to our culture. The Philosopher's Kitchen joyously reminds us of the many festive elements to preparing and sharing a meal."

Zvi Yavetz
Distinguished Professor in Classical History at the Graduate
Center of CUNY and F. Lessing Professor Emeritus at Tel Aviv University