A thousand years ago the Chinese had an entirely codified kitchen while the French were still gnawing on bones. Chopsticks have been around since the fourth century B.C. Forks didn't show up in England until 1611, and even then they weren't meant for eating but just to hold the meat still while you hacked at it with your knife.
Ruth Reichl’s "Garlic and Sapphires" illustrates the vast differences in culinary evolution between cultures, highlighting that Chinese cuisine was highly developed a millennium ago while French dining was still primitive. It emphasizes the deep-rooted history of utensils, noting that chopsticks have been used since the fourth century B.C., showing a sophisticated approach to dining long before the fork became commonplace in England.
The introduction of forks in England in 1611 signifies a shift in dining practices, revealing that they were originally used only to stabilize food, not for eating itself. This reflects the gradual evolution of dining utensils and techniques over time, underscoring the diverse culinary traditions across cultures and their historical significance.
