A knowledgeable and charmingly-written compendium, 50 Dishes features China’s banquet-pleasing Peking Duck, Thai green curry and the comforting coq au vin of France. There are servings of Italy’s carbonara, the paella of Spain and, of course, Britain’s fish and chips. And please save room for Black Forest gâteau.Each dish has a biography the story of its birth and how it has evolved and there are cooking tips from acclaimed chefs. This is a book that both creates and sates a hearty appetite.