From medieval cookshops to modern fast food, this summary traces the evolution of public dining. In the Middle Ages, street stalls fed city dwellers, while nobles dined on spiced feasts. Coffeehouses in Constantinople, Paris, and London became hubs of culture. France birthed restaurants in the 18th century, America followed in 1794. By the 20th century, fast food exploded—convenient but nutritionally hollow—marking a dramatic shift in how the world eats.

Medieval taverns were gritty, chaotic hubs of food, drink, and community, serving as the first restaurants and vital social centers. Despite the filth, noise, and violence, they offered warmth, conversation, and escape from daily hardships. Chef Janine explores this raw history to highlight how far we've come in hygiene, food, and comfort—and to remind us to cherish the modern luxuries we often take for granted.