More than any other activity, food brings people, cultures, and communities together. Eating, whether sharing a meal or dining alone, goes well beyond the mere necessity of sustenance. It nurtures us physically, mentally and emotionally. Yet food has also helped to expand people’s perspectives and encourage new experiences.

A Seat at the Table: Food and Feasting in the Islamic World explores culinary traditions from the emergence of Islam to today, highlighting key historical developments, contemporary challenges and the impact of trade on food. It also exa­mines how feasting and dining etiquette shaped courtly culture. This volume speaks to the power of similar practices united under a common faith, highlighting similarities and differences whether found locally or across the globe.