Rome: A Culinary History, Cookbook, and Field Guide to Flavors that Built a City

Rome is Katie Parla’s love letter to the Eternal City—a sweeping culinary history, cookbook, and field guide in one. Drawing on two decades of research, eating, and storytelling, Parla explores how Rome’s food culture has evolved over millennia and why it remains one of the world’s most compelling.

With more than 110 recipes— from beloved classics like supplì and cacio e pepe to deeply rooted dishes like fettuccine al sugo di coda—Rome captures the flavors, stories, and traditions that define the city’s kitchens. Thoughtful essays, playful maps, and evocative photography bring its history and dining culture to life, making this both a practical cookbook and a rich cultural companion.

*QB Cookbook Club Pick: This book was chosen for our November-December 2026 Italian cookbook club selection, where we’ll cook 1 recipe each week from the book. Learn more about the QB Cookbook Club.