Even before one knows the company responsible for this little book (circa 1912) - one is startled. Because honestly - are you going to feel happy about cooking things recommended by this villainous-looking fellow who calls himself "Chef" in quotation marks? Is he not a real Chef? Perhaps not, since he resembles Svengali's cousin.And if that wasn't enough to put you off, consider this: the cookbook was written and compiled under the unctuous aegis of the Zam-Buk Company - purveyors of all-purpose medicinal ointment. I wrote about Zam-Buk over on Kitchen Retro, here, which will give you some background information on this all-purpose and amazing ointment known (by its makers, at least) as "The World's Great Healer."
And what were those Good Things To Eat? The same old fare that you would find in any little cookbook of the 1890-1915 period: a few heavy main courses, some mayo-based salads, and a plethora of ordinary cakes and plain cookies, such as Jam Jams. You'd think this sinister fellow would be serving up things he'd flambé'd in a huge incendiary chafing dish, or Mystery Pudding (I made that up, by the way, you'll have to imagine what would be in that).The big version of "Chef" is here and the big version of the ad on the back cover is here.
14 comments:
Does Mystery Pudding contain a can of tomato soup? And marshmallows?
Jeez, that is one scary "chef." The only way you could improve on the cover of that cookbook is if he had a little thought bubble over his head that says "You will eat them and like them."
And is it just me, or is he reminiscent of the Soup Nazi? "No good things for you!"
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FreshHell - No doubt.
Beth - He is the Soup Nazi's grandfather, probably. And yes, he does not want you to have the Good Things unless you do exactly as he says! Forever!
Tina - Thank you so much :)
Holy cow, Hercule Poirot cooks! Maybe that's his nom de plume ... le chef de crime. "Good sings, and 'ow to cook zem, cherie."
Patrick - But what is Poirot putting in his dishes? That's what I'd like to know!
I think 'Chef' is Salvador Dali's little-known brother; rarely acknowledged or spoken of. And now I can see why.
Kath - What fun the Dali family must have had at those holiday meals!
That's Gordon Ramsey's great, great grandfather, didn't you know? Who else could spawn such a mean-spirited, foul-mouthed Chef other than this guy. He needs to get a handlebar on the moustache though. Yuck and creepy.- G
I'm always in awe of how you find these things to write about. Fascinating.
I doubt that this guy's cookbook would sell today. Funny how things have changed over the years.
http://echoesofhistory.blogspot.com
Georgina - It's a good thing he was too early for a TV show!
Mirella - I found this in a secondhand bookstore. Luckily no one around here likes this sort of thing as much as I do!
Blimey, I think he should be holding a giant knife in his hand.
I feel like this should be turned into a 1980's style slasher movie!
"No good things for you!"--Chef of Zam-Buk
Richard - The giant knife would be an ideal accessory for this guy.
Mild Colonial Boy, Esq. - I can just hear him saying that!
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