In Cold Kitchen: A Year of Culinary Journeys, Caroline Eden reflects on the intrinsic connections between food, memory, and place. Through a lens of rich reminiscence, she expresses a belief that delighting in places often surpasses delighting in people. This sentiment, woven throughout her book, emphasizes that even in times of turmoil, locations retain a core essence that captivates travelers.
Eden’s culinary explorations extend from Eastern Europe to Central Asia, showcasing how food serves as a common thread linking diverse cultures. Central to her narrative is the idea that the choices of what we cook and the experiences shared around food are profound. The book is structured seasonally, mirroring the Earth’s cycles, and each chapter is paired with evocative recipes that reflect her experiences and the changing seasons.
One evocative memory involves creating bilberry jam while walking through the Scottish Highlands, leading to a moment of profound delight upon tasting the unique juice of a wild cloudberry. Eden’s culinary memories extend beyond the kitchen into landscapes filled with history and emotion, as she reflects on her travels.
The narrative also contains thoughtful insights into the socio-political landscapes of the regions Eden visits. Her observations in places like Kraków and Warsaw reveal profound hunger—not merely for food, but for cultural and historical connections. Eden poignantly evokes the emotional undercurrents of society, reminding us how food can interweave personal and collective histories.
While Eden embraces a lyrical style, at times she confronts the challenges of life and loss, such as the passing of her dog, using these experiences to highlight the therapeutic nature of cooking and the sensory pleasures foods can bring. Her poetic descriptions enchant, with comparisons that resonate deeply, ensuring the reader not only imagines the flavors but also feels the emotional weight they carry.
In closing, Cold Kitchen culminates in reflections on Ukraine just before the Russian invasion, blending nostalgia with current events. The book beautifully illustrates how food not only sustains life but also serves as a means of navigating and remembering history, capturing the interplay between culture, identity, and survival.
Cold Kitchen: A Year of Culinary Journeys
Caroline Eden
Published by Bloomsbury; 246 pages; $27.99 / £18.99