I got a response!

So I had been curious about a section of one of my oft-used food history books. I noticed that the author had a website, so I sent her a note/question last night about it. She wrote me back today! She was really nice and suggested where I might go for further research. I mean, I'm sure she doesn't get requests everyday, but she has written quite a bit. Thanks Laura Schenone, author of A Thousand Years Over A Hot Stove!