Designed for cooks and consumers alike, "The Oxford Companion to Italian Food" covers all aspects of the history and culture of Italian gastronomy, from dishes, ingredients, and delicacies to cooking methods and implements, regional specialties, the universal appeal of Italian cuisine, influences from outside Italy, and much more. Oxford University Press

Gillian Riley's interest in Italian food and culture began when she was working as a freelance photographer making frequent trips to Italy. Since becoming a food historian she has written many books on food in art such as Renaissance Recipes (1993), and Impressionistic Picnics (1993) and is the author of A Feast for the Eyes, the National Gallery Cookbook. Gillian contributes regularly to the Oxford Food Symposium.