The Lost Supper will fascinate some readers and lose others. I found it extremely well written and interesting, but it was a book I kept putting down. It is as much a food and travel memoir as anything else, and while it was very well written I prefer my own modern old fashioned food acquisition of foraging and permaculture.

This is a fun tour through the various foods and ingredients that have existed through time, told with a real love and deference for food and the people who make it happen.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Taras Grescoe's The Lost Supper is an exploration into how the foods of the past can be the key to saving our future. We see the author teaching his children about eating bugs, travelling to countries to try their cuisine, and writing about the history of food.

While I think the thesis of this book was interesting and captivated me to initially begin reading, I think it got a bit lost in the story. This was more memoir, food journey, and exploration of cultural delicacies than it is about the impacts of globalization, industrialization, and pollution on our diets. I also think that this book was a bit too long for me as someone who rarely reads these types of books. It's a bit daunting and not something I'd recommend for the casual nonfiction reader.

The Lost Supper is easily one of the most interesting books I've ever read. The book not only had me reflecting on the foods I eat but also making changes to my diet. I have added multiple restaurants and stores to my 'must visit' list. There are also quite a few foods out there that I can't wait to try (I have already ordered my bottle of Flor de Garum). While reading The Lost Supper, I'd call up friends and share random facts that I had just learned. I seriously found everything in this book to be fascinating. I cannot praise this book enough. To anyone who loves food, history, and/or culture, I highly, highly recommend The Lost Supper. I will be buying copies for all my friends and family.

I LOVED this book!!!!! Anyone who knows me knows my obsession with historical foods and my anxiety about agricultural diversity. (I never said I was cool.) Grescoe dives into the foodways of the past (both familiar and unfamiliar). For those who already are interested in food history, some of the contents of the book are well-trodden paths; but those paths are explored in ways that reveal new insights. And there is still plenty to learn here, even for those of us who already know a lot. For those who are new to food history, this book is approachable and captivating. And if folks want to learn more, there's a great bibliography at the end. (Huzzah!! Finally a popular nonfiction book with a useful bibliography!!)

I absolutely adored this book, and I have already recommended it to several friends. Can't wait to buy my own copy!

The Lost Supper examines foods of the past, with each chapter focusing on a different food from around the world. This perspective allows the author to examine how we eat food today, lamenting the loss of culinary diversity. It is an interesting take on food, examining both past and present food cultures, and how we may want to consider looking to the past for solutions. Some of the chapters felt long-winded, perhaps better suited to someone who is much more of a foodie.

This is a great, interesting read. If you're a foodie, someone who cares about the environment, or someone interested in what the future could look like, this is a book for you!

Grescoe looks at the state of modern food production and dives back in time to see if ancient foodstuffs and ways of tending them offer any answers to the environmental apocalypse on the horizon. There are no recipes in this book and each section deals with his hunt for a particular ingredient, something that takes him all over the world, far from his Canadian home. It was unfortunate for me that the first, hefty chapter deals with eating bugs, which he describes in frankly, unalluring detail. For me, it wasn't the showstopper I needed to lure me to change some of my eating habits. Things pick up as the book progresses. I really enjoyed his tracing the history of Wensleydale cheese and looking at sustainable farming practices. Also fascinating was tracing the Indigenous Canadian tribes use of a root called camas which was their version of the potato.

At times I loved this. At other times I found it deeply frustrating. Of course, Grescoe is right in sounding the alarm over processed, convenience foods and the damage being done to both ourselves and the land we hope will sustain us. Having said that, this is very much a niche volume that explores what might be possible with different thinking and approaches. It doesn't, at any point deal with the reality of a family on a punishing budget who might understand that it is right and fair to pay ethical farmers a high price for their produce, but who, if they did, would run out of food money after the first day. Nor does it acknowledge how much single minded focus and time it takes to live like this.

I applaud the sentiment of the book, but all the way through it I kept thinking about how impossible it would be for most families to live like this.

Grescoe travels to several different countries to sample ancient food, from bugs in Mexico City, to a fish sauce based on a Roman recipe in Spain, to cama bulbs In Canada and more. This combination of travelogue and history goes into quite a bit of detail in each chapter, so it's a slow read at times. But Grescoe adeptly shows how these foods nourished people and how our modern methods of producing and consuming food impoverish both ourselves and our environment.

In The Lost Supper, author Tara’s Grescoe travels the world seeking foods that were once a part of human diets and now are mostly endangered. His first chapter discusses insects, which has real potential to turn many off (he does acknowledge near the end of the book that crickets and worms are never likely to be in grocery stores any time soon). Some foods, we learn, are deeply buried in our ancestral history; others are nearer the surface and many have contemporary counterparts that require only minor changes in farming and preparation techniques in order to be more healthy and at the same time palatable to modern tastes. The problem is not necessarily (as some have claimed) agriculture per se, but attempts by industrial farming to raise produce that can be made in huge quantities and create profit.

The Lost Supper reads like a television food series (it’s been compared to similar work by Mark Bittman and Anthony Bourdain) and because of this, it was by turns both interesting and frustrating. I loved reading about the different foods and locations - my favorite chapters being those that examined my favorite foods like cheese and bread. But as evocative as his descriptions were, it was hard to get the full flavor of each culture from the page alone. I hope this book is developed as a series, and if it is, I would be happy to invite the author to Wisconsin to learn that we do make the world’s finest cheeses and don’t all run around with foam cheeseheads eating Velveeta. Well, maybe a little Velveeta, but cheeseheads only on Sundays. We promise.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Fascinating and entertaining. This book is packed full of interesting ideas and facts. They are spun together in a light entertaining way that makes it easy to read, but with depth. I picked out two chapters that looked interesting to start with to get a feel of the book, but as I took so much away from those two chapters I ended up devouring the rest of the book. over a weekend. I would have said this is the perfect book for foodies, but I think it actually would have a far wider appeal. I was entertained the whole way through the book, but I also learned a lot at the same time. 5 stars as I would definitely read this book again.

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

Simultaneously delicious, intriguing, and educational, THE LOST SUPPER takes the reader on a journey through human history as author Taras Grescoe discovers, and delights, in some of the lost delicacies of humanity. From Roman fermented fish (or garum) to the sourdough bread feasted upon by ancient Egyptians, Grescoe's mission to document his experience is in the spirit of Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown and provides his readers with numerous gastronomic delights (at least, through his writing).

THE LOST SUPPER offers the general population a look into how our past and future may be intertwined, and all that we stand to lose by letting our traditions be forgotten in favor of progress. Its approachable and informative, perfect for both scholars and people wanting to dip their toes into the world of 'gastronomic archaeology' and understanding food biodiversity.

This is a fascinating look at the history of food.From the first pages about eating insects I was completely captivated by the information and the authors lyrical writing.Perfect book for foodies for those who want to know where the foods we eat actually came from way back in history.#netgalley #the lost supper.#netgalley #thelostsupper.

This was a really interesting book! I like history and I LOVE food so this was right up my alley. The book discusses several foods that were once common in historical times but aren't used much today. This book is written in a way that doesn't make the subject boring and instead makes it interesting. Overall, I enjoyed this and would recommend it to those who enjoy learning about food, history, or just want to learn some new information. Special Thank You to Taras Grescoe, Greystone Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is an interesting book about the history of food globally, it’s development, and its impact then and now. It is anthropological journey that educates and reminds us about what was, how we got to where we are and in essence how to save ourselves from ourselves. An interesting and compelling read. That said, I just can’t get into being so adventurous as to eat insects! This would make an amazing series on National Geographic or the Food Network. Hoping that happens sooner than later.

The Lost Supper: A Culinary Journey Through the Evolution of Food by Taras Grescoe is a fascinating exploration of the foods of our ancestral past. As someone particularly interested in ancient Roman cuisine, I was immediately drawn to this book because of Grescoe's extensive research on garum - the funky, fermented fish sauce that was ubiquitous in ancient Roman cooking.

Grescoe travels around the world meeting with archaeologists, historians, chefs, and food producers to uncover the origins and stories behind foods that were once commonplace but are now rare or forgotten. From ancient wines, to silphium spice, and to Aztec caviar, Grescoe's prose vividly brings these ingredients to life on the page. His curiosity and enthusiasm for his subject matter is contagious.

What I appreciated most about The Lost Supper is how Grescoe positions these historical ingredients not just as relics of the past, but as sources of knowledge that can teach us valuable lessons about health, sustainability, and preserving biodiversity for the future. The book covers some somber topics like habitat destruction and industrial agriculture but maintains an optimistic spirit about the potential for 'gastronomic archaeology' to improve and expand modern diets.

For food lovers, history buffs, and anyone concerned about the impacts of globalization and industrialization on our food supply, The Lost Supper is a must-read. It satisfied my craving for knowledge about a variety of cuisines while also giving me a thoughtful new perspective on the future of food.

Aimed at serious foodies and food historians, Grescoe’s work made me cringe, do some research, and share interesting bits with everyone around me as I read. There’s a bit of the “serious foodie” pretentiousness here that Grescoe smooths over with a sincere concern over the future of food and nutrition on our planet. I mean, is he seriously trying to get his young sons to make insects a daily part of their diet?

This is a highly readable foray into the history of food and civilization from Neolithic times to the present day. I had not been exposed to the theory that agriculture is the root of the downfall of humans in history, which I found a fascinating thread through Grescoe’s travels across the globe.

Recommended for niche collectors and large libraries.

"The Lost Supper" by Taras Grescoe is a captivating journey into the world of food and culture. Grescoe's storytelling is nothing short of beautiful; it weaves a tapestry of culinary history and human connection that keeps you engrossed from start to finish. His vivid imagery brings the flavors, aromas, and landscapes of the places he explores to life, making you feel like you're right there with him.

What sets this book apart is the author's ability to connect food to our shared human experience. Through tales of lost recipes and forgotten traditions, Grescoe reminds us of the importance of preserving our culinary heritage. However, I must admit that while I thoroughly enjoyed the book's storytelling and imagery, I still can't get past the eating bugs thing, but I can see why it was so important to include.

Despite this personal quirk, "The Lost Supper" is a delightful read for anyone who appreciates the power of food to bridge cultures and generations. Grescoe's passion for his subject matter shines through on every page, making this a worthwhile addition to any food lover's library. So, if you're more adventurous than me when it comes to food, you'll likely enjoy it even more!

I really enjoyed this book about slow food and getting back to our food roots. I like history and I like food so the combination kept my interest. The author traveled the world and met with different types of people trying to keep traditonal and old foods alive. I especially found the part about garam and cheese interesting. We get to learn why it was important and why it should still be important. He also included a lot of history which I found fascinating!

I thought the author presented heirloom or slow foods to the reader in an informational and fun way. He seemed to have fun learning and then sharing. I appreciated that the book never got preachy or made me feel like there was an agenda. It did make me think which is a good thing.

I think this book would be or interest to foodies, historians and those interested in sustainablity. Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.

I was fascinated by the authors search for foods mainly lost to us today and also the background of many foods that now grace our tables. I was unaware of how much variation ancient peoples had in their diets ( necessity maybe ? Eat what you could get hold of). Will be dipping back in and revisiting some of the chapters.