Join Dartmouth Libraries to hear from Danielle Callegari, Associate Professor of French and Italian, writer at large for Wine Enthusiast, and co-host of the top-ranked Gola food and wine podcast, about her latest book, A Bite-Sized History of Italy: Gastronomic Tales of the Roman Empire, Renaissance, and Republic.

From The New Press: "With boundless energy and a fearless palate, Callegari explores beloved staples—pizza, pasta, parmigiano—alongside the unsung flavors that shaped Italian identity: legumes, wild herbs, game birds, spices, and the contributions of Jewish and other minority communities. Readers will uncover the true history of the tomato, Mussolini’s failed attempt to replace pasta with rice, the “Carbonaragate” scandal that made international headlines, and more. Drawing on ancient cookbooks, medieval architecture, and contemporary cooking shows, Callegari reveals how Italy’s rise as Europe’s gastronomic heart is rooted in religious customs, class dynamics, and the echoes of empire, and how food became a language of both unity and division."

Talk followed by Q&A, as well as a tasting in Dartmouth Hall. Registration required.