Marianne Kaltenbach
Marianne Kaltenbach was born in Zürich in 1921. Although she first studied pharmacy, her passion later turned to writing. Initially working for domestic and women's magazines, she became passionate about recipes and food writing. Her cookbooks were much loved, as she had a knack of making even the most complicated recipes easy to understand.
She went on to write many detailed cookbooks about different regions of Switzerland, as well as collections of French, Italian, and Spanish recipes.
Her great trilogy: Aus Schweizer Küchen, Aus Italiens Küchen, and Aus Frankreichs Küchen (from Swiss, Italian and French kitchens, respectively), were incredible inventories of not only the recipes of those countries, but also their customs surrounding food.
Much lauded during her lifetime, she passed away in 2005.
Aus Schweizer Küchen
Although she published many cookbooks in her life, perhaps Marianne Kaltenbach's seminal work is Aus Schweizer Küchen, a glorious tour through the food and food customs of all 26 cantons. Not only is it filled with recipes, but it's also peppered with lovely illustrations and bits of history and lore.
The book is categorized by the month, focusing on what's in season and what holidays are celebrated. It's a journey through the year, through the cantons, and through the heart of Swiss cuisine.
My version of Aus Schweizer Küchen is an old edition that I picked up at Bern's Bücherbergwerk (an excellent source for all used books, especially old cookbooks), but it can also be bought new, directly from the publisher.
Thanks, Frau Hülshorst!
Although it’s my favourite, it’s definitely not Marianne Kaltenbach’s only book. She wrote many regional cookbooks, as well as ones exploring Italian and French cuisine.
