This anthology of food writings collects work from all over the world and from all ages. It includes Cato, whose 2nd century BC practical guide to rural life, "De Agricultura", the oldest surviving complete book of Latin prose, is rich in food commentary that illuminates his time. This is also true of Pliny the Elder three centuries later and Apicius, a chef who was one of the first great food writers. The collection pays tribute to writers for their social commentary, such as Emile Zola's observations about the fat and thin people at Les Halles market and Lu Wenfu's discussion of an inappropriate revolutionary retaurant in Maoist China. "Choice Cuts" also includes some of the many writings on food and sex, food and national identity and those food writers who were spectacularly ill-informed.
- ISBN10 0224069772
- ISBN13 9780224069779
- Publish Date 5 December 2002 (first published 29 October 2002)
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 10 August 2021
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Vintage Publishing
- Imprint Jonathan Cape Ltd
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 496
- Language English