The presentation of the volume “Il Libro de cosina di Maestro Martino de’ Rossi” will take place on Friday, April 12th at 5:30 pm at the former convent of Inviolata. The two-volume set contains a facsimile reproduction of one of the most precious gastronomic manuscripts, the ms. F-MS-1 from the library of Riva del Garda, dating back to the early 16th century, and the Commentary, which includes essays by specialists from various disciplines that delve into and explain the contents of the manuscript.
Thanks to this prestigious publishing project, the valuable manuscript, attributed to the mastermind behind the Renaissance culinary revolution, has undergone a conservatory restoration prior to digitization for the creation of a high-quality facsimile.
The codex contains 287 recipes organized into eight books attributed to the master chef Martino de’ Rossi, considered the architect of a true cultural turning point in the art of gastronomy. A highly skilled chef who lived in the 15th century, Martino is credited with changing the way cuisine is understood and representing the dividing line between medieval and modern gastronomy. There are only five surviving manuscripts identified as recipe books by Maestro Martino, including the one preserved at the civic library of Riva del Garda.
The work is undoubtedly one of the most well-known manuscripts among historians of medieval and Renaissance food and gastronomic culture, and beyond. It is recognized worldwide by renowned Michelin-starred chefs and all cooking book enthusiasts.
In “De Arte Coquinaria,” Martino reveals how to prepare meatballs, Piedmontese finanziera, Vicenza-style mustard… and many other delicacies. He is credited with the first mention of meatballs. He also invented new kitchen utensils, introduced hygiene recommendations, and provided the first instructions on service, cooking methods, and table setting.
The presentation of this prestigious set, open to the public with free admission until seats are filled, will unveil the restored manuscript for the first time. You can find more information about the event here.
