By skyforbes 
Much Ado About Cooking: Delicious Shakespearean Feasts for Every Occasion by Sam Bilton (Author) (October 23, 2025) OH Publishing.
I’ve always been someone who enjoyed seeing Shakespeare’s plays growing up, including some performed at San Diego’s Old Globe, so the chance to read about the food that featured in the plays was a treat I heavily anticipated. Sam Bilton’s Much Ado About Cooking: Delicious Shakespearean Feasts for Every Occasion is clearly a passion project and a well-researched culinary trip back to 16th-century England. This cookbook successfully marries the world of Elizabethan food with Shakespeare’s works, and I would recommend it to history buffs and literature lovers alike.
Bilton uses her expertise as an accomplished food historian and editor of the journal Petits Propos Culinaires to structure the content thoughtfully. The book is organized around key aspects of Shakespeare’s life and work, providing a valuable glimpse into the kinds of dishes that would have been served at various social levels, from common taverns to the Globe Theatre. I appreciated that this structure ensures every recipe is steeped in context, transforming the cooking process into a genuine exploration of the Elizabethan era.
The recipes themselves — such as gingerbread, Georgian sweetmeats, spiced beef, and saffron buns — appear tempting and surprisingly manageable for a modern kitchen. What genuinely sets this book apart, in my opinion, is the inclusion of “as-yet-unseen recipes from The Globe archives.” This feature provides an authentic taste of the period and practical guidance for recreating historical dishes. Whether you’re planning a full, festive feast or just looking for a simple, historical treat, Bilton gives the reader the confidence to cook like it’s 1599.
I found the book’s presentation to be one of its strong suits. It’s a beautifully designed work that captures the spirit of the time, featuring appealing food photography alongside period-appropriate woodcut illustrations. The pages are also peppered with quotes from the plays and fascinating literary facts. This attention to detail means Much Ado About Cooking doesn’t just belong in the kitchen; it’s a beautiful book for any Shakespeare fan’s shelf and an impressive piece of cultural history.
Verdict: An enchanting, educational, and genuinely delicious read. Five stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pros: Much Ado About Cooking offers exceptional literary and historical value, blending Shakespeare quotes, fascinating facts, and exclusive Globe archives recipes for an authentic Elizabethan experience. Its stunning presentation, featuring woodcut illustrations and food photography, makes it both a practical guide and an exquisite collector’s item or gift for any enthusiast.
Cons: The book’s strong commitment to historical authenticity means it caters to a specialized niche. Cooks may need to embrace older, complex methods and source less common ingredients, making it a less practical choice for those strictly seeking quick, modern weeknight recipes due to the required time and patience.
About the Author: Sam Bilton is a food historian, writer and host of the award winning Comfortably Hungry podcast (Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards 2025). She is also the editor of Petits Propos Culinaires, a journal on food history and culture. (OH Publishing)
_______________________________________________________________
About the Well Seasoned Librarian
Hailing from San Diego and spending his teenage years in the Pacific Northwest, Dean Jones has become a seasoned resident of the San Francisco Bay Area for over 30 years. A true foodie and lover of the written word, Dean wears many hats: librarian, cookbook reviewer, and writer.
Catch him at book festivals, farmers’ markets, bookstores, or savoring a delicious meal at a local restaurant. Dean’s passion for food and literature shines through his published works. You can find his reviews in “Amoral Beatitudes Magazine” and his insightful articles on platforms like Medium’s “One Table One World,” “The Cookbook for All,” “An Idea,” and “Authors What Are You Reading?” Currently, Dean keeps Benicia Times Herald readers informed with his regular cookbook review column.
Connect with Dean:
- Email: [email protected]
- Podcast: Linktree (Spotify, Amazon, iTunes, YouTube)
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsibP5oAUIam8sOT-MZdXig