I’ve been exploring various foods named after writers. The French poet, historian and politician Chateaubriand, who was a foodie, had a cut of steak and the method of cooking it named in his honour. English novelist Arnold Bennett often mentions food in his fiction. He was lucky enough to be a resident writer at the Savoy Hotel in London and while there he ate a smoky haddock omelette prepared by one of the chefs. He adored it and after that insisted it was made for him at every hotel he visited. It has now been named Omelette Arnold Bennett.
You can imagine my delight when arriving for breakfast at the lovely Abode Hotel in Canterbury, where my Literary Landscapes of England Tour group spent their first night, to discover Omelette Arnold Bennett on the menu. Here is a photo of my breakfast. It was quite delicious.
Try it for yourself: https://www.lostinfood.co.uk/omelette-arnold-bennett/
Other dishes named for writers have either been recipes much enjoyed by that writer, or were created after the writer died and named in his or her honour. You might like to try some of the following: Omelette André Theuriet (he was a novelist and poet – his omelette has truffles and asparagus), Veal Pie à la Dickens (created for him when he visited America), Salad à la Dumas (for Alexandre Dumas Fils, this is a potato salad), Chicken Sauté George Sand, Timbales à la Irving (named for Washington Irving), Sole Jules Verne (who also has a sauce, a garnish and several meat dishes named for him), Bisque of shrimps à la Melville (for Hermann Melville), Lamprey à la Rabelais (named for the French writer and humanist), Lobster Cutlets à la Shelley (I’m not sure about an American chef naming a seafood dish for a poet who drowned at sea?), Sydney Smith’s Salad Dressing (Smith was a writer and clergyman who described how to make this dressing in a poem), and Lamb Chops Victor Hugo (lamb chops cooked with horseradish, parmesan and bread crumbs).
Some writers have even produced cookbooks. Alexandre Dumas’s Dictionary of Cuisine, which was published posthumously, is a fascinating book. Maya Angelou has written Great Food, All Day Long, Roald Dahl published Memories of Food at Gipsy House, and Patricia Cornwell wrote Food to Die For.
Do you know of any fabulous recipes named for authors? If so, do share them with me in a comment below.
Alexander Dumas Dictionary Of Cuisine by Alexandre Dumas
Great Food, All Day Long: Cook Splendidly, Eat Smart by Maya Angelou
Memories with Food at Gipsy House by Felicity & Roald Dahl
Food to Die for: Secrets from Kay Scarpetta’s Kitchen by Patricia Cornwell
Susannah Fullerton: Arnold Bennett
Susannah Fullerton: Arnold Bennett dies
Susannah Fullerton: Foods Named After Writers
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