Explore 750 years of Amsterdam's culinary history in this mouth-watering exhibition at the Allard Pierson Museum. Discover traditional dishes, rare cookbooks, and archaeological finds that reveal the evolution of food culture in the city from the Middle Ages to the present day.
To celebrate Amsterdam's 750th anniversary, the Allard Pierson Museum presents 'Amsterdam Eats: A History in Dishes,' an exhibition delving into the city's vibrant food culture over seven and a half centuries. The exhibition showcases what Amsterdammers have eaten, from everyday meals to gourmet creations, highlighting culinary traditions through an array of cookbooks, menus, archaeological finds, and manuscripts. Featured dishes range from the medieval staple of herring to the symbolic post-WWII _nasi goreng_, alongside delicacies like oyster pie, _oliebollen_, roast game, steak, _stamppot_, pickles, and the croquette sandwich. Each dish is contextualized with items from the Allard Pierson collection, including unique artifacts such as the oldest known Amsterdam cookbook from 1617 and a Portuguese-Jewish recipe manuscript from around 1800.
Beyond the plate, the exhibition examines who ate what, when, and where, using prints, paintings, drawings, and photographs to illustrate how food culture mirrors and drives urban development. Old maps reveal the city's markets and restaurants, while insights into canal mansions, middle-class neighborhoods, and the influence of French cuisine are explored. The exhibition also touches upon contemporary food trends like seasonal eating and vegetarianism, noting their historical roots, and features contributions from chefs and experts. A special presentation developed with seven ambassadors from across Amsterdam's boroughs highlights the diversity of current food cultures through personal stories, favorite dishes, and table customs, culminating in a collective textile work and visitor contributions.