“The strength of a nation is in the hands of the cook. Feed a man well, he will work well, he will fight well” (Eustis). These words are still not what one would normally expect from a cookbook, however this is how author Celestine Eustis chooses to begin her collection of recipes. In 1836, Celestine Eustis was born in Paris, to her mother who came from a prominent French-speaking Creole family. In 1904, when Eustis was in his sixties, he wrote Creole in Old Cooking Days (On History and Food). Cooking in Old Creole Days shows the diversity of Creole culture with its variety of recipes and songs, as well as other things included in this guide to Creole cooking, even more so in the author's introduction, as she uses some unconventional methods. This cookbook highlights the diversity and vibrancy of Creole culture and how it played an important role in the exotic regional culture of Louisiana and the Old South. It served to reflect his Creole heritage, New Orleans background, French life and privileged lifestyle. The cookbook celebrates the culinary traditions and meals created in the kitchens of wealthy Southern society (History and Food). In the introduction to the book, the surrender of Appomattox was cited as the cause of two major calamities, the end of the duel and the disappearance of the black cook. Celestine Eustis had first-hand knowledge of the latter. Defining a great combination of cultures that blend together has been done with one word, Creole. A word rich in such diverse backgrounds and meanings that it serves as the perfect reference to define such a diverse culture. What is Creole? Creole, derived from both the Spanish word criollo and the F...... middle of paper ......ion of recipes, celebrates the culinary traditions of the wealthy Southern society (Feeding America). Creole culture is a unique blend and Celestine Eustis helped show the world what the entire Creole culture had to offer. Works Cited "Creole". Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. December 11, 2013. .Eustis, Celestine. Cooking in the old Creole days = La Cuisine Créole À L'usage Des Petits Menages. New York: np, 1928. Print."Feeding America." Feeding America. Np, nd Web. October 25, 2013. “Historical Events for the Year 1903.” Today in History, Birthdays and History Articles. Np, nd Web. October 25, 2013. “Historical Events for the Year 1904.” Today in History, Birthdays and History Articles. Np, nd Web. October 25, 2013. “On Food and History.” 'On food and history' Np, 13 May 2008. Web. 25 October. 2013.