Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin

 This article is about the gastronome Brillat de Savarin.
   For the cheese from Burgundy, see Brillat-Savarin cheese.

Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin

"Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are."

Brillat-Savarin

Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin (French pronunciation: ​[ʒɑ̃ ɑ̃tɛlm bʁija savaʁɛ̃]

1 April 1755, Belley, Ain – 2 February 1826, Paris) was a French lawyer and politician, known for his contributions as an epicure and gastronome.

Biography

Brillat-Savarin was born in Belley, Ain, to a family of lawyers. He studied law, chemistry, and medicine in Dijon before practicing law. During the French Revolution, he was sent as a deputy to the National Constituent Assembly. Later, he fled France due to political persecution and lived in Switzerland, Holland, and the United States, where he gave French and violin lessons. Returning to France, he became a judge at the Court of Cassation.

Writings

Brillat-Savarin's most famous work, Physiologie du goût (The Physiology of Taste), was published shortly before his death. The book, which explores the pleasures of the table, has remained in print since its release. Known for its aphoristic style, the work established him as a key figure in the field of gastronomy.

He also advocated for a low-carbohydrate diet, emphasizing the detrimental effects of sugar and starch on obesity and promoting protein-rich foods, meats, and vegetables.

Death and legacy

Brillat-Savarin is buried at the Cimetière du Père Lachaise in Paris. His contributions to gastronomy influenced modern food culture, with several culinary items named in his honor, including Brillat-Savarin cheese, the Savarin mould, and Gâteau Savarin.

Quotes

• "Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are."
• "A dessert without cheese is a beauty with only one eye."
• "The discovery of a new dish confers more happiness on humanity than the discovery of a new star."
• "To receive guests is to take charge of their happiness during the entire time they are under your roof."
• "Cooking is one of the oldest arts and one that has rendered us the most important service in civic life."

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