THE KITCHENARY Dictionary and Philosophy of Italian Cooking

About the Book

The Kitchenary is a unique combination of Italian cooking terms and attitudes regarding cuisine presented in Italian and English. University Italian instructor Brook Nestor brings 18 years of insight to the impassioned cook, traveler and language buff. Discover little-known facts about staples in the Italian diet: was pasta imported from China? Learn language subtleties like the difference between salami and salumi or tavola and tavolo. Want to be a welcome guest? Find out how to eat, speak and act at an Italian table.

Italians have a great sense of pride regarding their culinary history, particularly for their regional dishes. However, their traditions are being threatened by modern industry and the encroachment of corporate interests in the food sector. This has led to the establishment of such organizations as Slow Food, dedicated to preserving all aspects of culinary tradition, including the sacrosanct activity of consuming a meal at an Italian table.

Enjoy familiarizing yourself with these terms and becoming proficient in Italian kitchenese. Cooking speaks to all the senses at the same time, so whether you watch, participate or simply follow your nose to the table, these words will be meaningful to you:

About the Author

Brook Nestor spent eighteen years in Bergamo, Italy, working as a technical translator for a mechanical engineering company. Since 1994 she has taught Italian at Santa Rosa Junior College and Sonoma State University in California. A member of Slow Food, she promotes regional Italian cuisine with cooking presentations in Italian.