At the Table - by Ken Albala (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

What's for dinner? Not just in America, but around the world? And how is it cooked, what's the historical significance of that food, how is it served and consumed, and who gets to clean up? This book provides fascinating insight into how dinner is defined in countries around the world.

Almost universally, "dinner" is a key meal in most countries around the world, whether it be a simple dish of rice and beans, a slice of pizza on the go, or a multi-course formal meal. What do the specifics of how a meal is eaten-by hand instead of with utensils, for example-say about a specific culture? This fascinating one-volume reference guide examines all aspects of dinner in international settings, enabling insightful cross-cultural comparisons and an understanding of the effects of modernization and globalization on food habits.

Some 50 countries are covered in chapters focusing on present-day meal habits in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and North and South America. The commentary covers everything about the meal, such as the time, the cooking and preparation, shopping for ingredients, the clean-up process, gender-based participation roles, conversation or other social interactions, and etiquette-just about everything that happens at the table. The book is ideal for classroom teaching and learning, as the entries and photos are conducive to teaching students about other cultures, directly supporting the National Geography Standards. Students will be able to make informed comparisons between their own lives and the various cultural experiences described in the book.

Review Quotes

Overall, this work educates readers on what it means to be 'at the table' throughout the world. It is accessible to everyone-and all who love to cook . . . . Summing Up: Recommended. All levels of students; general readers; professionals/practitioners.
Choice

This is an interesting introduction to world culinary traditions that will be a useful resource for students of anthropology, sociology, food studies, and culinary arts.
Booklist

This tasty roundup of global meal rituals (including recipes!) will be a welcome addition.
Library Journal

About the Author

Ken Albala is Professor of History and Director of Food Studies at the University of the Pacific, USA.