French Cuisine

» Larry Ervin - Does French Haute Cuisine Originate from Catherine de Medici?

Any history buffs out there with the straight skinny? The story goes that when the Medici's arranged the marriage of Catherine to the future king of France, that the French were still eating like barbarians and she brought with her an entire kitchen staff and a sophisticated cuisine. Others say she could have had little influence because [1] the king much preferred his mistress, [2] the alliance soon fell apart and the Medici's refused to pay her dowery, and [3] it took her ten years to bear the king a son. Or is all that just sour French grapes?

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» holgerlu - Does French Haute Cuisine Originate from Catherine de Medici?

In response to Does French Haute Cuisine Originate from Catherine de Medici? posted by bcooks:

Dear bcooks,
I am very interested in this connection between Catherine de Medici and the french cuisine. Can you recommend books/articles on this topic? Is there a biography which contains more information about this topic?

best regards holgerlu

-- posted by holgerlu

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» Larry Ervin - Does French Haute Cuisine Originate from Catherine de Medici?

In response to Does French Haute Cuisine Originate from Catherine de Medici? posted by holgerlu:

Hi, Holgerlu-
I agree. Fascinating person in history. If one grants to French cuisine the immense impact it has had on world cuisine, one must at least consider the reputed impact of this woman. I did quite a bit of Google research. There's a lot there. There are several biographies, though most appear to paint her as a Maciavellian coniver. A more recent one, with a perhaps feminist bent, portrays her more kindly.
Catherine De Medici: A Biography by Leonie Frieda
Let me know where you fall in the debate.

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» Larry Ervin - Does French Haute Cuisine Originate from Catherine de Medici?

In response to Does French Haute Cuisine Originate from Catherine de Medici? posted by holgerlu:

Not sure if you saw my post to your message.

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