Thought you'd like to know...

The other day my Mom told me about a lecture she went to at a museum. Mom goes to lots of talks and lectures and readings. She probably heard about it on NPR or through her vast social network of people who go to gallery openings and parties at Architects offices. Anyway it was about food and it was at the Atwater Kent museum- one of our childhood favorites- so it was a natural for her.

The main speaker was renowned food historian and cookbook editor Andrew Smith who had recently uncovered and republished a cookbook from the Centennial Exposition here in Philadelphia in 1876. The National Cookery Book is a treasure trove of recipe's from our distant past- apparently we were really into oysters back then. Also speaking was Fritz Blank (its spelled "Blank" but its pronounced "Blaahnk" as in the French manner because he's a chef) local resturanteur and cookbook collector. Apparently he has about 10,000 cookbooks- he likes to recreate dinners from centuries ago but with fresher food. The question came up during the discussion of what was the quintessential American Food- a great question considering the academic and culinary expertise on hand. While the food historian had to think it over for a second Chef Fritz knew immediately: Sandwiches.