Cooking Through Time: The Cookery Exhibit, Kansas State University Libraries

The exhibit completes its tour with Irma (von Starkloff) Rombauer's American classic, The Joy of Cooking. This first edition appeared in 1931. Once considered a "modern" cook book, The Joy of Cooking is now also a true classic. In this display five recipes are presented, including Cheese Soufflé and Queen Mary's Sponge Cake. Also shown is an image of the original edition's front cover. It is interesting to note here the original parallel title (which no longer appears in most recent editions), “A Compilation of Reliable Recipes with a Casual Culinary Chat”. Also included is an image of a page titled "Favors for Children's Parties,” which provides hand drawn instructions for making children's edible party toys.

In summary, Kansas State University Library’s “The Cookery Exhibit” provides a unique perspective and comparison of cookery, taste and culture. The viewer is able to vicariously experience popular foods, preparation styles and social customs around foods from 300 A.D. Rome, to twentieth century America. This is an exhibit to be digested by both the bibliophile and the epicurean.