America’s First Cookbook – American Cookery via Zoom

7:00 PM Tuesday, January 7, 2025

The nation's first-ever native cookbook contained recipes of early American cuisine, European traditions, Native American ingredients, and innovative cooking techniques. John Cilio's 50-minute presentation highlights the evolution of cookbooks in early America, the impact of cast iron stoves, and the development of cooking schools. The groundbreaking 13-edition cookbook was published in 1796, backed by prominent Federalist politicians and penned by the enigmatic American orphan Amelia Simmons.

This program is thanks to generous funding from the Friends of the C. H. Booth Library.