"Every day holds the possibility of a miracle."
Elizabeth David
Cookbook Author
Elizabeth David was a British cookery writer known for her influential books that transformed British culinary culture, particularly through her focus on Mediterranean cuisine.
- Born
- December 26, 1913
- Died
- May 2, 1992
- Quotes
- 15
- Rank
- #3795
About Elizabeth David
Elizabeth David — Life and Legacy
Elizabeth David was a pioneering British cookery writer whose work significantly impacted the culinary landscape of the UK. Her distinctive approach emphasized the importance of fresh, seasonal ingredients and the joy of cooking, particularly through her celebrated book 'Italian Food'. David's writing challenged the post-war British culinary norms, which often relied on convenience and blandness, by introducing vibrant Mediterranean flavors and techniques. In her works, she famously stated that 'the only way to cook is to cook with love', highlighting her belief that cooking is not just about sustenance but also about passion and creativity. This perspective encouraged home cooks to embrace the process rather than view it as a mere obligation. David's insistence on quality ingredients and authentic recipes has left a lasting legacy, inspiring generations of cooks to prioritize flavor and enjoyment in their culinary endeavors. Today, her quotes and ideas continue to resonate, reminding us that cooking is an art form that fosters connection and joy, making her contributions to food culture both timeless and relevant.
Quote collection
Elizabeth David quotes
15 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"Some sensible person once remarked that you spend the whole of your life either in your bed or in your shoes. Having done the best you can by shoes and bed, devote all the time and resources at your disposal to the building up of a fine kitchen. It will be, as it should be, the most comforting and comfortable room in the house."
"To eat figs off the tree in the very early morning, when they have been barely touched by the sun, is one of the exquisite pleasures of the Mediterranean."
"Good food is always a trouble and its preparation should be regarded as a labour of love."
"Summer cooking implies a sense of immediacy, a capacity to capture the essence of the fleeting moment."
"Provence is a country to which I am always returning, next week, next year, any day now, as soon as I can get on a train."
"The grotesque prudishness and archness with which garlic is treated in [England] has led to the superstition that rubbing the bowl with it before putting the salad in gives sufficient flavor. It rather depends whether you are going to eat the bowl or the salad."
"Even more then long hours in the kitchen, fine meals require ingenious organization and experience which is a pleasure to acquire."
"It isnt only fictional heroes to whom toast means home and comfort. It is related of the Duke of Wellington - I believe by Lord Ellesmere - that when he landed at Dover in 1814, after six years absence from England, the first order he gave at the Ship Inn was for an unlimited supply of buttered toast."
"Writing doesn't come easily to me. It gets more and more difficult."
"I don't copy recipes without trying them out. I don't reprint without trying them again."
"It is a very great mistake to suppose, as a few English cooks still do, that spaghetti and macaroni should be soaked in water before cooking."
"I'm very interested in my new kitchen equipment shop. I've started it with two friends."
"An awful lot of people think it's easy to lift recipes out."
"I would probably never have learned to cook."