Scappi

Scappi is a family name of Italian origin. It is most notably associated with Bartolomeo Scappi (c. 1500 – April 13, 1577), a celebrated Italian Renaissance chef. He served several popes and cardinals and is considered one of the first internationally recognized celebrity chefs.

Bartolomeo Scappi's fame rests primarily on his monumental cookbook, Opera dell'arte del cucinare ("Work of the Art of Cooking"), first published in 1570. This extensive work detailed approximately one thousand recipes, cooking techniques, kitchen tools, and culinary customs of the era. It also contained detailed illustrations of kitchens and kitchen equipment, offering invaluable insight into the domestic life and culinary practices of 16th-century Italy.

Beyond his cookbook, little is definitively known about Bartolomeo Scappi's personal life. His legacy as a master chef and culinary innovator, however, is firmly established through his enduring contribution to culinary history and literature. The Opera dell'arte del cucinare continues to be studied and appreciated by chefs, historians, and food enthusiasts today for its comprehensive account of Renaissance cuisine.