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The Secret History of French Cooking
  • Published: 14 April 2026
  • ISBN: 9781524744731
  • Imprint: Dutton
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 352
  • RRP: $70.00
Categories:

The Secret History of French Cooking

The Outlaw Chefs Who Made Food Modern

  • Luke Barr
Formats & editions
EBook
17 Mar 2026
Audiobook
17 Mar 2026
Hardback
14 Apr 2026
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From the New York Times bestselling author of Provence, 1970, a lively and riveting account of the revolutionary development of  French “nouvelle cuisine”, spurred by renegade chefs of the 1960s and 1970s.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Provence, 1970, a lively, dramatic account of the spectacular rise of French “nouvelle cuisine,” and the renegade chefs of the 1960s and 1970s who revolutionized modern cooking.

In The Secret History of French Cooking, Luke Barr takes readers inside the culinary rebellion that upended the staid French food world and reinvented the role and cultural importance of chefs and restaurants. The very idea of the chef as creator—as innovator, artist, auteur—can be traced back to the legendary Paul Bocuse, Michel Guérard, and the Troisgros brothers, among other colorful characters. The book also tells the largely unknown story of a group of women chefs who fought for recognition in the all-male culinary establishment of the 1970s, and the villainous, powerful food critic who cast a shadow over the era.

This is a tale of rivalries, global success, and a ferocious backlash; of celebrity, money, politics, and incredibly delicious food. The Secret History of French Cooking reveals the origins of modern food and restaurant culture—the forces that shaped the way we eat today.
  • Published: 14 April 2026
  • ISBN: 9781524744731
  • Imprint: Dutton
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 352
  • RRP: $70.00
Categories:

Praise for The Secret History of French Cooking

Praise for Luke Barr:
“A nostalgic, lovely read.” —Boston Globe on Provence, 1970

“A fascinating narrative.” —New York Times on Provence, 1970

“Required reading for anyone who fears a little life-upending change—even if they know change will bring happiness and relief.” —Oprah.com on Provence, 1970

"Reads like a novel…Mr. Barr has done a fine job evoking fin-de-siecle London and the characters of the two odd men who played such a pivotal role in that exhilarating time.” —Wall Street Journal on Ritz and Escoffier

“A charming tale of success, scandal, and redemption—complete with an unexpected villain. Warning: It will make you hungry, and a little nostalgic for bygone times.”—Erik Larson, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dead Wake and Devil in the White City on Ritz and Escoffier

Praise for Luke Barr:
“A nostalgic, lovely read.” —Boston Globe on Provence, 1970

“A fascinating narrative.” —New York Times on Provence, 1970

“Required reading for anyone who fears a little life-upending change—even if they know change will bring happiness and relief.” —Oprah.com on Provence, 1970

"Reads like a novel…Mr. Barr has done a fine job evoking fin-de-siecle London and the characters of the two odd men who played such a pivotal role in that exhilarating time.” —Wall Street Journal on Ritz and Escoffier

“A charming tale of success, scandal, and redemption—complete with an unexpected villain. Warning: It will make you hungry, and a little nostalgic for bygone times.”—Erik Larson, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dead Wake and Devil in the White City on Ritz and Escoffier