Ruminations on Kitchens
Kitchens seem to be quite the story this year. Well, it has to be said that the modern Western kitchen is a rather odd phenomenon embodying all kinds of contradictory hopes and desires. These two pieces explore some of them.
Here’s Downstairs Upstairs from the Economist. And a review by Dominque Browning, former editor of House and Garden of Steven Gdula’s Warmest Room in the House (Bloomsbury 2007). Thanks to Kay Curtis for the latter.
I read the review of Steve Gdula’s book in the Times this past weekend with great interest of course. I was quite stunned that there was no mention of women’s history in the kitchen. I have not yet read the book, so I do not know if Gdula included this perspective more than fleetingly. Or if–Dominique Browning, simply ommitted it in her review. In either case, I don’t understand how it is possible in any case to take a tour of the history of the kitchen using a lense of architecture or social mores, and not women’s history as a central component. I was so disappointed in that review.
Greetings from the frozen north.
When one talks about kitchens, remember Alan Davidson’s effort, The Cook’s Room. It was published in 1991 by Weldon Russell and included entries by MFK Fisher, Terence Conran and so on.
Best for the new year!
Anita Stewart,
Elora, Ontario, Canada
Laura, I agree at least for the domestic kitchen. I hope to pick up the book next week in New York. Meantime anyone interested should also look at your Thousand Years over a Hot Stove as a counterweight.
Anita, yes, I like that book though Alan Davidson always disowned it for some reason. I wish someone would do much more. I would just love to record some of the rural kitchens around here before they vanish. Life’s so short.
This topic ties in very well with the outstanding lecture that you gave last night. The superiority that is given to us when we have a ‘nice’ kitchen. When you come right down to it, whether you are a plain food eater or a refined food eater, it’s all about proving our superiority.
I’ve linked you to my blog today, in thanks for all the good things that you’ve given me to think about!
Seems Rancho Gordo had you on his mind as well, it must by your moment of fame.
Warmest regards,
Judith Klinger
P.S. Your e-mail link appears to be broken. :–(
Hi Judith, Great to hear from you. Glad you enjoyed the lecture and thanks for the warning about the email link.
Rachel