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[Jason Perlow]

The week of September 15th, 2003, eGullet is proud to present Q&A with Peter Elbling, international best-selling author of The Food Taster, a novel about a court food taster in Renaissance Italy:

When Ugo DiFonte and his teenaged daughter Miranda are snatched from their farm and spirited away to Duke Federico Basillione DiVincelli's estate, Ugo thinks life can't get any worse...until he is forced to replace the recently de-tongued royal food taster. Now Ugo must stay alive-a difficult prospect considering the prince's myriad of enemies and their poisons-to protect Miranda from her suitors and desires, and somehow hold the unruly court together.

Peter is also known for his work as an actor and comedic writer -- throughout the 1970s and 80s, Peter acted on stage, in films, Phantom of the Paradise, amongst others (which he also choreographed), and in television -- Taxi, WKRP, Cheers, Laverne and Shirley, LA Law etc., etc., During this time he also produced and directed the late night satirical show, The Hollywood Primary, as well as creating, co-authoring and editing the satirical best seller, The 1980s - A Look Back (written in 1979), and its sequel The 1990s - A Look Back (written in 1989.)

Born in London, Peter emigrated to Canada when he was 19 in search of fame and fortune. He quickly left his job in advertising to become a folk singer playing in clubs across the country. In 1964, he discovered unknown hidden talents and formed the comedy team, The Times Square Two. The TST appeared in nightclubs, concerts and on television throughout the US, on Johnny Carson, The Smothers Brothers Show, The Dean Martin Show etc., etc. In 1970, the group split up and Peter joined The Committee, the renowned San Francisco Improvisational troupe and following that, The Second City in Chicago.

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Peter will be "translating" questions for Ugo Difonte, via a special Internet connection and time warp.

We encourage you to ask Peter and Ugo all sorts of interesting questions about the food of the Renaissance, Food Tasters, or anything off-the-wall that you care to throw at him.

To see what Italian food was like during the Renaissance, have a look at some of these
recipes:

http://www.peterelbl...m/recipes2.html