Consider the shopping list: 1100 chickens, 900 lambs, 2600 sheep, almost 8000kg of honey and 18,000 eggs.
What a swell party that must have been. And the occasion? To celebrate the circumcision of a prince sometime during the era of the Ottoman Empire. The catering details, recorded by a mid-16th-century writer, are revived by William Sitwell in his latest literary effort, which also does a wonderful PR job for the historically disparaged civilisation by looking at its food rather than its political ideology.
The latter may have a way of gripping the psyche, he writes, but "food is different. If things taste good, if drinks do more than just quench thirst, then they find a way of reaching the surface, coming up for air, seeing the light." And we have plenty in the way of modern-day feasting - falafel, hummus, shared plates and more - to thank "this beast of an ancient culture" for shining a light upon our own dining tables.
Sitwell author, travel writer, food writer, restaurant critic, MasterChef UK judge and broadcaster - is bringing his prodigious wisdom to the Auckland Writers Festival next month. It is impossible to ignore what he also brings: his genealogy.
He is the great-nephew of British poet, critic (and exotically provocative socialite) Dame Edith Sitwell and of author Sir Osbert Sitwell; grandson of the writer Sir Sacheverell Sitwell; great-grandfather Sir George is another Sitwell literary luminary.
High society indeed. No wonder he attests to being very proud of his ancestors. By his own description, they are "extraordinary, unique, English rebellious aristocrats, each of whom had a fierce talent".
Esta historia es de la edición April 29- May 05, 2023 de New Zealand Listener.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición April 29- May 05, 2023 de New Zealand Listener.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Roman scandals
Sarah Watt reviews two major titles at this year's Italian Film Festival.
Rising tide
Twenty years on from the foreshore and seabed hikoi, the issues behind it have not subsided.
The balance of Powers
The Naked and Famous star is unashamedly indulgent in his new solo album.
Love, love me Who
New Doctor Who Ncuti Gatwa and producer Russell T Davies talk about getting by with a little help from their friends.
Raising the barre
Why acclaimed Kiwi director James Napier Robertson-took on the bruising true story of an American ballerina in Russia.
A dickens of a novel
Historical novel is rich in women characters from all levels of Victorian society - including some from real life.
Parental advisory
A vibrant collection of essays sets out to answer one less-than-simple question: what makes a mother?
Unhappy endings
Leslie Jamison anatomises her broken marriage in a candid new memoir - but who or what was really to blame?
'I am still quite overwhelmed'
Ginette McDonald is good with voices. Now, a new anthology celebrates the long and varied career of the actor who brought us Lynn of Tawa. Just don't call it a valedictory.
A long Trekka north
Almost forgotten in this country, NZ's only homedesigned, mass-produced motor vehicle has a new following in Europe.