The Oldest Kitchen in the World - by Matay de Mayee (Hardcover)

About the Book

"From the world's oldest recorded cuneiform recipes, some 4,000 years ago, there is a straight line to the kitchen of Smuni Turan. Her recipes have been collected by her son in this cookbook. The Oldest Kitchen in the World describes both the cuisine and the culture of the Assyrians, also known as Arameans or Suryoye. Now scattered all over the world, they all still speak dialects of Aramaic, and more importantly: they still cook the dishes that all Middle Eastern kitchens are indebted to."--

Book Synopsis

"A rare and fascinating insight into an ancient and delicious cuisine. This is the best sort of cookbook--with time-honoured recipes from the heart of a home." --Nigel Slater

"Grants anyone the opportunity to enjoy over 4,000 years of rich culinary history in their very own kitchen." --Newsweek

"A culinary delight"--Midwest Book Review

"A definite must-try" --Booklist

Discover one of the oldest and most authentic cuisines in the world with this unique cookbook, which explores the foundations of Middle Eastern cooking.

From the world's oldest recorded cuneiform recipes, some 4,000 years ago, there is a straight line to the kitchen of Smuni Turan. Her recipes have been collected by her son in this cookbook.

The Oldest Kitchen in the World describes both the cuisine and the culture of the Assyrians, also known as Arameans or Suryoye. Now scattered all over the world, they all still speak dialects of Aramaic, and more importantly: they still cook the dishes that all Middle Eastern kitchens are indebted to.

Review Quotes

"Thanks to this mother-son effort, the Assyrian roots of iconic foods like baklava, kebabs, and steak tartare are visible. The specifics of Assyrian cuisine can be found in the pantry, with ingredients like grape molasses, mastic, and nigella seed, and in cultural traditions, such as the offering of kolonya before and after meals. These 60+ dishes require time and preparation, like maqloubeh or upside-down savory pie, but are a definite must-try."--Barbara Jacobs "Booklist"

"A culinary delight to simple browse through and an ideal resource for kitchen cooks wanting to create truly memorable menus with for both formal and informal dining occasions."--Midwest Book Review

About the Author

Matay de Mayee was born in Hengelo as the child of one of the first Suryoye (also called Assyrians or Arameans) established in the Netherlands. In 2020, he opened De Stijlkamer Amsterdam, a high-end B&B in a historic canal house, which he also uses for culinary events or as a photo and film location. With The Oldest Kitchen in the World he makes his debut as a cookbook author.