Saint Louis Public Library

Culinary Exhibit

This online exhibit will give you a “taste” of what is available in The Culinary Collection of St. Louis Public Library. This special collection was conceived in 1989 by Susan Manlin Katzman to document the culinary history of St. Louis. All branches have a wide selection of cookbooks but the rare, unique and valuable items as well as the menus are housed in the Rare Books and Special Collections Room of Central Library. Bon appetit!

Cookbook Covers

Cookbook covers from local organizations, such as, churches, businesses, and women’s groups exemplify the various eras in St. Louis’s culinary heritage. The artwork found throughout the cookbooks also serves as a testament to the popular artistic trends of the era.

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Recipes

Recipes provide us with a glimpse into St. Louis’s gastronomic traditions. The recipes found here highlight national, as well as local, developments in food preparation, cooking techniques, and use of ingredients.

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Menus

Menus, from restaurants that exist now and those that operated decades ago, reveal not only what people enjoyed eating, but customs, diet, design, and the history of our region.

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