Thomas Jefferson's Creme Brulee
  • Published: 15 September 2012
  • ISBN: 9781594745782
  • Imprint: Quirk Books
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 256
  • RRP: $45.00
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Thomas Jefferson's Creme Brulee

How a Founding Father and His Slave James Hemings Introduced French Cuisine to America

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Quirk's first full-length narrative history book tells an incredible true story. Perfect for trade, indie bookstores, and gift shops of historical sites.

This culinary biography tells the incredible true story of how a Founding Father and his slave introduced French Cuisine to America—perfect for history buffs, foodies, and Francophiles alike

In 1784, Thomas Jefferson struck a deal with his slave, James Hemings. The Founding Father was traveling to Paris and wanted to bring James along “for a particular purpose”— to master the art of French cooking. In exchange for James’s cooperation, Jefferson would grant his freedom.

So began one of the strangest partnerships in United States history. As Hemings apprenticed under master French chefs, Jefferson studied the cultivation of French crops (especially grapes for wine-making) so they might be replicated in American agriculture. The two men returned home with such marvels as pasta, French fries, Champagne, macaroni and cheese, crème brûlée, and a host of other treats. This narrative history tells the story of their remarkable adventure—and even includes a few of their favorite recipes!
  • Published: 15 September 2012
  • ISBN: 9781594745782
  • Imprint: Quirk Books
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 256
  • RRP: $45.00
Categories:
Share…

About the author

Thomas J. Craughwell

THOMAS J. CRAUGHWELL is the author of several books about saints. He’s appeared as an expert on CNN, the BBC, and Inside Edition and has written articles about saints for the Wall Street Journal, Inside the Vatican, and Catholic Digest, among other national publications. He lives in Connecticut.

Also by Thomas J. Craughwell

St. Peter's Bones
This Saint Will Change Your Life
Saints Preserved
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Praise for Thomas Jefferson's Creme Brulee

Praise for Thomas Craughwell's Stealing Lincoln's Body

"There is no end of fascinating context and detail in this engrossing, often zany, yet poignant tale." -Chicago Tribune

"Craughwell brings off the entire enterprise by making readers feel, hear and smell the atmosphere of the fetid Chicago taverns where the crooks hatched their demonic plot -- not to mention the creepy interior of the shoddy Lincoln tomb, crumbling all around the family corpses as an aging guard of honor struggles both to conceal Lincoln's body in the dank cellar and to rescue the cheaply made temple for posterity." The Washington Post

"A marvellous look into Gilded Age America and the wellsprings of many of our modern vexations."
--The Times (London)

"Stealing Lincoln's Body is a fascinating thriller."
--The Times Higher Education Supplement (London)