Vatel is a legendary figure in the history of French cuisine. His suicide during festivities hosted by Prince Condé in honour of Louis XIV struck a French light. This act became a symbol of the professional honor of French culinary specialists. Meanwhile, Vatel has never been a cook and we know next to nothing about his life. The historian of French cuisine Dominique Michel restores in this book the history of the formation of the myth of Vatel. The story of Vatel serves as an introduction to the history of French food art - the art that made France famous around the world. From this book, the reader learns about how and what the French ate in the 17th century, how the economy of a noble house was arranged, how the specific values ​ ​ of French cuisine developed. The book contains classic culinary recipes of the 17th century, adapted for today's everyday life.