Romania is a true cultural melting pot, its character and dishes rooted in a culture living at the crossroads of eastern and western traditions, from Greek, Turkish and Slavic in the south and east, to Austrian, Hungarian and Saxon in the north and west.

Carpathia, the first book from Romanian born and bred food writer Irina Georgescu, aims to introduce readers to Romania's unique, bold and delicious cuisine. Bringing the country to life with stunning photography and recipes, it takes the reader on a culinary journey to the very heart of this fascinating country, exploring its history, traditions and food, one mouth-watering dish at a time. 

Featuring small plates, starters, salads; breads and street food bakes; Borş and ciorbă (broths); traditional main courses and desserts; classic pickles, preserves, compotes and drinks; and championing ingredients at the heart of Romanian cooking - apples, bors, cheese, garlic, pork, pickles, polenta, pork, wine, yoghurt - Carpathia celebrates a country that's never afraid to mix things up!  From fragrant pilafs, polenta fritters butterbean hummus and light salads, to tangy borş, stuffed breads, hearty stews, and moreish desserts and layer cakes, travel across Romania in food-based style.

“I am fascinated by the flavours and textures of Romanian cuisine and I am excited to write and share its secrets with the world.  I feel very strongly about exploring the world through food, understanding people through what they eat, and putting things in the context of history. My dream is to build a life around food, discovering new flavours and changing perceptions with the help of recipes, photography and travel stories. The recipes are my own, inspired by my mother, my family and Romania's culinary heritage.” Irina Georgescu

Irina Georgescu is a food writer whose work draws on her Eastern European heritage. It is her love and commitment to talking about Romanian culinary traditions that made her pursue her dream and write about this heritage. Her cooking is inspired by her mother and grandmother, by her life in the busy capital city Bucharest, and by her constant explorations into the history and food of her country. Whilst trying to keep close to the traditional ways of cooking, she also brings her own interpretation to these dishes. Born in Bucharest and now living in the UK, Irina is the woman behind the popular blog Life In Small Bites.  

www.lifeinsmallbites.co.uk | FB @IrinaGeorgescuLife | IG @irina.r.georgescu | T @georgescu_r

What award-winning authors say about Carpathia:

“I couldn't be happier to see one of my favourite cuisines being represented by a voice as warm and thoughtful as Irina Georgescu's. Carpathia is full of delicious and interesting recipes and photos that will tempt you to travel to Carpathian mountains immediately.”

Olia Hercules, author of Mamushka and Kaukasis

"Carpathia takes the reader roaming through Romania from Transylvania to the Danube Delta while introducing dozens of satisfying recipes that express the landscape, culture and joys of traditional Romanian hospitality. This is a book of many virtues, filled with new ideas, flavours and insights.”

Caroline Eden, author of Samarkand and Black Sea

"A beautiful book full of life and flavour; I not only want to try so many of the recipes, I now want to visit the country that inspired them.”

Mark Diacono, author of Sour, The New Kitchen Garden and A Year at Otter Farm

"An absolutely beautiful book showcasing Romanian food as a wondrous amalgam of Europe's diverse cuisines.  Real, delicious and accessible - I will be making everything from the plācintā to prajitura, cremsnit to cataif!"

Helen Goh, co-author of Sweet with Yotam Ottolenghi

For further information and to request a review copy, assets or author interview, please contact:

Melody Odusanya | melody.odusanya@quarto.com | 020 7284 9362