Dalí: Les dîners de Gala

Discover the surreal world of fine dining with the indispensable reprint of Les diners de Gala. This renowned book offers insight into the extravagant cuisine and imaginative feasts hosted by Salvador and Gala Dalí. Featuring custom illustrations by Dalí himself, it serves as both an art piece and a functional cookbook, providing a multi-sensory experience of delectable tastes.

“Les diners de Gala is uniquely devoted to the pleasures of taste … If you are a disciple of one of those calorie-counters who turn the joys of eating into a form of punishment, close this book at once; it is too lively, too aggressive, and far too impertinent for you.”—Salvador Dalí

The mystique of surrealism is beautifully reflected in the merging of food and art, such as the combination of sex and lobsters, collage and cannibalism, and even a swan and toothbrush gracing a pastry case. Salvador Dalí (1904–1989) and his wife and muse, Gala (1894–1982), were renowned for their lavish dinner parties that were the talk of the town. Fortunately, Dalí's 1973 cookbook, Les dîners de Gala, offers a glimpse into the captivating, imaginative, and exotic components that characterized these infamous events.

This concise revision contains 78 carefully curated recipes divided into 12 chapters, with special illustrations by Dalí. Each chapter focuses on a different meal course, and includes tantalizing aphrodisiacs. The accompanying artwork and recipes are enhanced by Dalí's whimsical musings on topics like dinner conversation. “The jaw is our best tool to grasp philosophical knowledge.”

These elegant recipes can be prepared at home, though some may demand expertise and a well-stocked pantry. This cuisine reflects traditional methods, featuring dishes crafted by renowned French chefs. Good taste, no matter how opulent, remains timeless. By offering this highly exclusive book to a wide audience, TASCHEN presents a masterpiece, a functional cookbook, and a multisensory journey to modern kitchens.

The first English edition of Les Diners de Gala was published in 1973 by FELICIE, INC., New York.