Les Diners de Gala

Salvador Dalí’s surrealist cookbook, "Les diners de Gala," offers a distinctive celebration of culinary pleasure. Dalí warns those focused on counting calories to steer clear of its lively, bold, and unapologetically daring approach to food. His legendary dinner parties with his wife Gala were renowned for their extravagance. Published in 1973, this cookbook unveils some of the creative and sensual elements of these gatherings. In this reissued edition, readers can explore 78 unique recipes across 12 chapters, each beautifully illustrated by Dalí himself, and categorized by course—including dishes with aphrodisiac qualities. Alongside recipes, the book presents Dalí’s elaborate reflections on topics like dinner conversation, exemplified by his assertion that "the jaw is our best tool to grasp philosophical knowledge." While the recipes are designed to be prepared at home, some require culinary expertise and a well-stocked kitchen. Featuring classic techniques from esteemed French chefs, the cookbook affirms that exquisite taste remains timeless. By reintroducing this rare work, TASCHEN presents not only a piece of art but also a practical guide and a multisensory culinary experience to modern kitchens.