Using Queries
The Query section allows you to select pre-programmed requests from the database. These contain basic information to help you explore and then design your own database searches. Select from the menu choices and follow the onscreen instructions.

Search for Information
Data is only useful when you can view it in a meaningful way and what is meaningful for one person often makes no sense to another. The Search screen allows you to choose from many different parameters and display information for your personal research. Enter your selections in the boxes on the Search screen and follow the instructions to program your search.

Some notes on conducting research
Using the Cook’s Oracle as a guide, you will be able to find material from about 100 pre-twentieth-century culinary texts. New entries are constantly being added to the database; if you have a suggestion for any future additions to The Cook’s Oracle, please let us know. Contact us at info@cooksoracle.com

Working between multiple windows on your computers can sometimes be trying, it is easiest to work using two monitors, one to choose the items of interest from The Cook's Oracle and the other to display the original document in an online format. A high-speed Internet connection is recommended.

Where possible, we have listed the URL of an online version of the text in the database, as more resources are available online, they will be included. We have listed a number of web sites that contain online cookbooks in digital formats below. In most cases, the sites are open access and free-of-charge. Try searching on the term "cookery" to get started and see what you discover in the electronic stacks.

Harvard University – Hollis – Digital Resources
Access to culinary texts available at the Schlesinger Library,
Harvard University ID required for online access.

Google Books
A number of Full-Text eBooks available

Feeding America: The Historic American Cookbook Project
Michigan State University Library and the MSU Museum online American cookbook collection

Online Culinary History Project
Research library and network of historical culinary texts to the year 1700

Project Gutenberg
eBooks available in online and downloadable formats

University of Barcelona - Digital Collection
The digital cookbook collection includes volumes in various languages including a small number written in English; including The Accomplished Chef by Robert May and The English Housewife by Gervase Markham.
(Web Page Interface is written in Spanish)

The Cook’s Oracle
Dr. William Kitchiner’s instructions for English cookery

Harvest Fields
A collection of digitized cookbooks, interspersed with ads. Be forewarned.

Food History News
While not a source of online cookbooks, the source for anyone interested in Food History.

Medieval / Renaissance Food Clip-Art Collection
Source of the woodcuts on our home page

Dover Publications, Inc.
Source of the backgrounds and graphics used on this web site