New Libraries Exhibit: "Plate to Print"
This Rauner Special Collections Library exhibit by Kira Parrish-Penny '24 explores the social and cultural politics of cooking embodied by historical cookbooks.
Frozen food and meal prep services; #FoodTok and cooking blogs; diet fads and "Make America Healthy Again"—the social and cultural politics of cooking has come a long way. The ritual of preparing and consuming a meal has played a unique role in human history. It’s simultaneously art and science, process and product, delight and responsibility. It allows for individual expression while still reflecting the customs of broader communities and geographies. Culinary practices are often close to the heart, as food frequently connects and defines families. Dishes become traditions that are coveted, altered, and passed down. Recipes are heirlooms; the taste and smells of cooking are powerful forces for nostalgia and memory, reminders of legacy and affiliation. The publication and popularization of cookbooks in Western culture over the last two centuries has contributed to increased visibility and respect for the art of cooking, traditionally an "invisible labor" performed by women.
This exhibit was curated by Kira Parrish-Penny, the 2024-2025 Edward Connery Lathem ’51 Special Collections Fellow and the poster was designed by Joshua Shaw, Library Web and Application Developer. Visit the exhibit website for more: dartgo.org/platetoprint.
