Introduction
Discover some interesting food-related items from Special Collections at TPL. Explore how people ate — at home, on the go and around town — in our past. Peek into the types of research materials we preserve for current and future foodies, food historians and others fascinated by the culinary arts. This virtual exhibit features over 40 rare books, menus and more from an in-person exhibit at Toronto Reference Library. Bon appétit!
Eating In
Whether preparing a home-cooked meal for family and friends or preserving food for a long winter, "eating in" can become quite involved. Which appliances and cookware will you use to create your fantastical feast? We invite you to compare these older cookbook and shopping catalogues to the ones you use today.
Recipe books
Beeton’s Every-day Cookery and Housekeeping Book: a Practical and Useful Guide for all Mistresses and Servants Isabella Mary Beeton Approximately 1800Famous English journalist and writer, Isabella Mary Beeton (nee Mayson) (March 14, 1836 – February 6, 1865), was more colloquially known as Mrs. Beeton. In 1860, her husband, Samuel Beeton, founded Beeton’s Christmas Annual. This was the very publication in which Arthur Conan Doyle’s iconic character, Sherlock Holmes, first appeared in the “A Study in Scarlet.” While Beeton’s book continues to be an authority on Victorian cooking and practices, many of the recipes were actually copied from other successful cookbooks of the time, such as that of predecessor Eliza Acton (April 17, 1799 – February 13, 1859). Mrs. Beeton did, however, add her own twist, including some interesting takes on certain foods. In her opinion: “mangoes tasted like turpentine”; “garlic was offensive”; and “lobster was indigestible.”
Frenchcookbook_Eating_In_ea26e36a4dLa cuisinière bourgeoise: précédée d’un manuel prescrivant les devoirs qu’ont à remplir les personnes qui se destinent à entrer en service dans les maisons bourgeoises Augustin Germain, Libraire Menon, 18th century 1825 Book
Housewife_27s_Manual_Eating_In_3370e1301aThe Frugal Housewife’s Manual A.B. of Grimsby Guardian Office 1840 Hardcover book
Every_Lady_27s_Cookbook_5e489bb262Every Lady’s Book: an Instructor in the Art of Making Every Variety of Plain and Fancy Cakes, Pastry, Confectionery, Blancmange, Jellies, Ice Creams, and Other Useful Information for Ordinary and Holiday Occasions A Lady Printed and Published by A. Davidson at the Niagara Mail Office 1846 Book
Artificial_Milk_Eating_In_accaaadfa4Food for Babes; or, Artificial Human Milk, and the Manner of Preparing it and Administering it to Young Children /
William Cumming, M. D. /
Globe Printing Company /
1867 /
Book
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This 1867 book analyzes the ideal ratios of the nutrients in human milk, and suggests an alternative made of butter, casein (a protein found in milk), sugar and water. The author examines the math, and describes a method to break down cow’s milk into a nutritionally sound substitute for human milk.
Canningbook_Eating_In_d711a3c8cfSome Valuable Recipes for Canning Fruits and Vegetables T. Eaton Company, Canada Approximately 1915 Booklet
Dominioncookbooknew_Eating_In_bf41f52312The Dominion Cook Book Anne Clarke George J. McLeod Publisher 1899 Hardcover book
Appliances
Happy_Thought_Steel_Range_Eating_In_2a212af9c2Happy Thought Steel Range
William Buck Stove Company Limited
Approximately 1888
Ephemera
NEW_Ice_Cream_Maker_Eating_In_eeb64c2f59Empire Cream Maker: Directions and Recipes
Empire Cream Maker Syndicate
Toronto, Ontario
Approximately 1900
Ephemera
Heavy_Polished_Ware_Eating_In_a0457bfcffIllustrated Catalogue
Kemp Manufacturing Company
Toronto, Canada
1896
Trade catalogue
Jewel_Gas_Ovens_Eating_In_3104804c42Jewel Gas Stoves and Gas Appliances
Burrow, Stewart & Milne Company
Approximately 1920s
Trade catalogue
Metal_Oven_Piece_Eating_In_8ad31a757fHubbard Ovens Make Jolly Bakers
Hubbard Portable Oven Company of Canada Limited
Approximately 1911
Metal pull
Microwavead_Eating_In_e6f7a2efb3
Dining Out
A city like Toronto provides a multitude of options for dining out, and our collections reflect many examples of this variety. Explore menus ranging from the Zellers Restaurant to the CN Tower. In this section, you can also check out menus from planes, trains and even boats! Today, you can expect to grab a snack on many modes of transportation, but what about eating on the go on longer, slower trips of the past?