Not only was Leonardo Da Vinci fascinated with drawing plants, he may have preferred eating them. In this course, students explore period cookbooks inspiring the dining practices and diet of Da Vinci.

As scientist and artist, it’s no surprise Da Vinci took a keen interest in food in terms of both pleasure and health. We will look at his famous kitchen notebooks, which contain a history of his tenure as chef/banquet designer at the court of Sforza. We’ll also learn about Leonardo’s ingenious kitchen gadgets and household tips. We will enjoy two luncheons featuring the preferred rustic and humble, plant-based fare of the great man himself as well as the elevated banquet fare and libations of the Renaissance courts where he worked.

Let’s lift a glass in this quincentennial year of Da Vinci’s death and mangia bene with Leonardo - vegetarian, innovative kitchen designer, and observer of Renaissance culinary etiquette.