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Dinner with Socrates: Feasting in Ancient Greece with Francine Segan
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Author of Philosopher’s Kitchen, Francine Segan, entertains with tantalizing tales on the foods and dining customs of Ancient Greece. Besides learning the origins of candles on a birthday cake; flower girls at weddings; throwing a pinch of salt over our shoulder, and what the first Olympic athletes ate you’ll discover the health secrets of Hippocrates, Plato, and Socrates.
The ancient Greek legacy includes the Mediterranean diet and its many insights into medicine, health, and longevity. We’ll learn about the fascinating writings of Hippocrates who first noted the diagnostic value of interpreting a patient’s dreams and why he advised athletes to get drunk as a cure for sore muscles. Discover the many ancient Greek food myths on everything from how Athens got its name to why Zeus punished the honey-bee. Many delicacies found on a table in antiquity are still served today. Dishes such as pesto, custard, pasta, pizza, baklava, and pancakes all have their roots in ancient Greece. Numerous cooking techniques such as seasoning with wine and herbs, cross-cutting ham to better bake in a honey glaze, adding truffles to special dishes, as well as baking in a water bath all have their origins in antiquity.
Led by an expert on culinary history, Francine Segan, this interactive seminar will explore the history of feasting in Ancient Greece. Designed to amuse and inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased understanding of everyday life in Ancient Greece. Participants will receive a handout with easy-to-recreate recipes of ancient Greece, plus a list of must-try modern Greek delicacies.
Francine Segan is a renowned food historian and James Beard-nominated author of six books. She is a regular on TV, appearing frequently on the Food Network, PBS, Discovery, and History Channels. Francine's articles have appeared in Saveur, Epicurious, Vogue, and Fine Cooking Magazine and she is an often-featured expert in newspapers including the Wall St Journal, USA Today, and The New York Times. She lectures across the USA at such prestigious venues as the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton University, Smithsonian Museum in DC, Virginia Fine Arts Museum, and 92nd St Y, NYC's premiere cultural center.
Not suitable for children under age 13 (sensitive content).
90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.
Excellent review of feasting and foods in ancient Greece. I came away from this not only informed, but also very hungry and eager to visit this fascinating country. I love ancient cultures, and this presentation fulfilled my expectations to learn more about life 3000 years ago in this part of the world.
A very interesting presentation. There was much more presented about Ancient Greek history than just about cuisine. The slides were beautiful. Very enjoyable.
Such an interesting mix of history, cuisine and Greek art. Francine is delightful with good stories, gorgeous photographs and a set of recipes as a bonus.
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Fun, engaging lecture for anyone interested in food and history.