Gotha Manuscript Talks: Looking Over the Shoulders of Scribes of Medieval Culinary Manuscripts and Reading Between the Lines

The talk will explore the fascinating world of medieval Arabic cookbooks, moving beyond simply viewing them as collections of recipes. Drawing on my research translating several of these manuscripts into English, the presentation will highlight how different versions, transcribed across centuries and in various locales, reveal significant alterations and modifications. I will also explore dialogues and negotiations within these texts, where modifications reflect changing traditions and individual choices, as well as the human element behind their creation – exploring themes of responsibility in dealing with and preserving culinary knowledge and the dynamics of conforming to or deviating from established traditions.

Nawal Nasrallah, Independent Scholar, has published books and articles on the history and culture of Arab food, with a particular interest in translating into English medieval Arabic cookbooks. Her works include Delights from the Garden of Eden on Iraqi Cuisine and its History, Dates: A Global History, and English translations Annals of the Caliphs’ Kitchens from Baghdad, Treasure Trove of Benefits and Variety at the Table from Egypt, and Best of Delectable Foods and Dishes and Smorgasbords of Andalusi and Maghribi Dishes and Their Salutary Benefits from al-Andalus.