About Da Vinci's Kitchen:

With wars among the city-states raging in early Renaissance Italy, the enigmatic genius Leonardo da Vinci was producing some of the greatest art of all time. But in his day he was famous for more than Mona Lisa’s smile — he was also crafting some of the most spectacular theatrical productions and banquets Europe has ever seen in the Sforza court in Milan, even as he personally lived a nearly monastic life, eating the most basic vegetarian foods.

In his notebooks, Leonardo left us a detailed account of his zest for and talent with food: his cooking, diet philosophy, drinking advice, and culinary inventions. But da Vinci’s culinary exploits only scratch the surface of Italian cuisine — Da Vinci’s Kitchen explores the development and transformation of Italian diet through the 15th and 16th centuries, from descriptions of the lavish feasts and foods of the royal courts to the simpler fare eaten by peasants.

Da Vinci’s Kitchen includes fascinating sidebars, illustrations, original recipes from the masters of Italian Renaissance cooking, and some modern adaptations of these recipes, including Leonardo’s own salad dressing. From the Renaissance to today, Da Vinci’s Kitchen explores the history and the relevance of Italian cuisine, illuminating the origins of Leonardo’s gastronomic triumphs and his profound passion for food and cooking.

This book will appeal to cooking and food enthusiasts as well as art and history buffs. So, gather ’round Da Vinci’s Kitchen! There’s something cooking for everyone.

Read an excerpt now!