If you still think “gourmet” is a new term in modern society, listen to the story of Marcus Gavius Apicius, who coined the concept in the first century CE.
People often think of “gourmet” as a concept of the modern world, a world filled with blogs and food fairs, unique culinary trends, pre-meal photography “rituals” to put on social media. Few people know that as early as the first century AD we had one of the first foodies in ancient Rome. The story of the life and death of Marcus Gavius Apicius has many surprises in store for you.
Marcus Gavius Apicius was a wealthy man in ancient Rome. He loves luxury and glitter and has a special passion for food. Apicius served during the reign of King Tiberius as a culinary advisor, often preparing feasts and dining with the wealthiest of the time.
He is also the author of mankind’s first cookbook. The book is divided into 10 sections, including knowledge on protein foods, vegetables, desserts, how to keep the house clean, take care of the garden and even classic recipes like how to make a delicious soufflé.
Apicius is considered to be the author of the first cookbook in history, recording many valuable recipes.
Apicius is also famous for its lavish and expensive parties. While most Romans at this time lived on thick soup, a simple stew of wheat and millet, Apicius dinners were deemed extremely luxurious. The menu is full of flavor, made up of exotic and expensive ingredients, such as shrimp and crab, seafood and meats of distant origin. Apicius did not accept anything that closely resembled the food of the peasants. He persuaded Prince Drusus to stop consuming cabbage because it was too common. Instead, large foie gras, dolphin balls, boiled parrots, grilled ostriches, sow stomachs, camel heels … are regularly present in the kitchen.
Collecting these strange materials also takes a lot of effort. When he heard that a high-quality shrimp had appeared off the Libyan coast, Apicius hired a boat and went with the crew there to find it. But when the local fisherman gave him these shrimp, he refused and returned to the boat without hesitation, simply because they did not meet established standards.
His reputation was as famous as alcohol among the upper class at that time. Everyone has heard the name of Apicius, a true culinary expert. It all looked so glorious and smooth, but sadly it didn’t last forever.
After years of pursuing sumptuous meals, Apicius belatedly realized that he had spent a fortune to eat. The remaining money was just enough for him to live the rest of his life in poverty. And of course, for a food-obsessed person like Apicius, having to live on the food of a farmer he once considered humble and insignificant was torture. So he decided to pour all the remaining fortune into a hearty meal like never before, and it was also the last delicious meal in the life of the most foodie in history. He committed suicide by poisoning himself.
Apicius would rather die in luxury than live in mediocrity. The life of the first gourmet in history ended like this.
