The Gastronomical Me

Beginning with her first vivid food memory—the visceral experience of savouring her grandmother's greyish-pink strawberry jam—M.F.K. Fisher invites readers to embark on a captivating journey of gastronomical discovery in The Gastronomical Me. From her childhood in the United States to her transformative time in Dijon as a young woman, where she encounters authentic French cuisine for the first time, Fisher shares her evolution into a connoisseur of fine food and drink.

As she immerses herself in a new culinary culture, Fisher recounts the unforgettable meals she enjoyed with a diverse and eccentric cast of characters, all set against the poignant backdrop of rising pre-war tension in Europe. Each chapter elicits vivid imagery and deep emotion, as Fisher's evocative prose weaves together the sensory delights of food with the complexities of human experience.

Throughout The Gastronomical Me, Fisher’s eloquent narrative reveals how food serves as a portal to memories of life's most profound moments. From the joy and strife of family gatherings to the throes of passionate love affairs, and from the excitement of voyages across continents to moments of introspective solitude, each story illustrates how culinary experiences shape our lives and deepest emotions.

In exquisitely articulated prose, which combines conviviality with intimacy, Fisher unlocks the art of dining well. She offers insights on how to select the perfect meal, the joy of cooking for loved ones, and the seldom-celebrated pleasure of dining alone. Fisher’s reflections demonstrate that a well-prepared meal often brings nourishment to both the mind and heart, weaving a rich tapestry of sensory and emotional fulfilment.