What’s on the Menu with Nathalie Cooke

Menus aren’t just lists of food—they’re time machines. This week on Foodie Pharmacology, Dr. Cassandra Quave returns to Season 7 with literary food historian Dr. Nathalie Cooke of McGill University. Together, they explore how menus offer rich clues into the cultural, economic, and even medical mindsets of past centuries. From elephant soup on menus to how Coca-Cola and cigarettes once appeared as health tonics, you’ll hear surprising stories of how dining habits—and health claims—have evolved. Discover how art, identity, and even politics show up on the plate, and how modern “no-choice” tasting menus harken back to royal traditions. Don’t miss this fascinating dive into culinary history through the lens of Nathalie’s latest book, Taste and Traditions: A Journey Through Menu History. 🎧 Subscribe now and take a seat at the historical table. #MenuHistory #FoodCulture #CulinaryTraditions #WildFoods #HealthOnTheMenu #FoodiePharmacology