What's Cooking in the Kremlin

What's Cooking in the Kremlin by Witold Szablowski is an engaging and culinary-driven excavation of Russia's tumultuous history through the lens of its leaders' kitchens. This compelling narrative embarks on a journey across a century of Russian politics, culture, and power, as told through the intriguing tales of those who have cooked for its leaders. Szablowski's exploration unveils the intimate and untold stories from within the walls of the Kremlin, offering rare insights into the psyches of the men who shaped Russia’s political landscape. Throughout his journey, he breaks bread with the chefs who have witnessed history's turning points from behind the kitchen doors and vividly recounts these uniquely flavoured anecdotes.

This unique work is an intoxicating blend of historical investigation and culinary curiosity, reminiscent of the bold, immersive storytelling of Anthony Bourdain and Hunter S. Thompson. Szablowski delves into the menus that adorned the tables from Tsar Nicholas II to Vladimir Putin, painting a rich tapestry of political intrigue seasoned with a dash of culinary wit. He reveals the bizarre and authentic details of historical figures' relationships with food—Lenin's favoured meals, Stalin’s disturbing practice of employing a food tester during the Great Famine, and the curious culinary preferences of Brezhnev and other Soviet leaders.

The book ventures over a landscape dotted with historical landmarks: Stalin's Georgia, Afghan warfronts, the haunting ghost towns of Chornobyl, and even the embattled environments of Mariupol. In these settings, Szablowski gains unprecedented access, often to places closed to outsiders, shedding light on how the manipulation of food plays a role in Russia's military and political strategies.

What's Cooking in the Kremlin is more than a history book; it is an oral history enriched with recipes and photos, capturing the evolution of Russia's culinary identity—from the austere to the opulent, from famine to festive feasting. It encapsulates the role of food as a potent non-verbal dialogue of power and conveys how this nation’s leaders have used culinary art not only to dictate global standing but as a continued weapon of cultural and political warfare.

Praise for the book includes acclaim from numerous literary critics, including an Editors' Choice designation by The New York Times. Renowned author Daniel Stone heralds it as a "riveting" journey through time, marked by laughter, astonishment, and enlightening stories. Szablowski's literary skill lies not just in capturing the essence of Russian gastronomy but also in unravelling the complex narrative of a nation where food has been a constant player in the power games of its rulers.