Recipe’s of the Shire: A Hobbit’s Cookbook

Object: A Hobbit’s Cookbook titled “The Master Baker’s Cookbook”

Medium: Soft, worn leather binding with coarse, handmade paper. Ink and charcoal sketches are used for the texts and illustrations. 

Author/Creator: Believed to be a well-known Hobbit and baker within the Shire named Primrose Goodbody

Date of Manufacture: 1355 S.R.

Place of Creation: Hobbiton, Shire.

Artifact Number: M-h 172

Collection: Permanent 

Source: Donated by Mrs. Daisy Took

This beloved leather-bound cookbook preserves generations of Hobbit culinary traditions, including infamous seed cakes and mushroom pies. It was believed to have been created by the famous baker Primose Goodbody in 1355 S.R. and was rediscovered after the War of the Ring by her descendants. The flour-dusted pages are a nostalgic reminder of the Shire’s enduring love of food and traditions and allow the legacy of culinary heritage to endure. 

Image Copyright Information:

Drawing. Illustrated by Lily Steele.

The Master Baker’s Cookbook: A Taste of Hobbit Culture

Food has been a significant part of Hobbit culture for centuries, making up some of the most fundamental aspects of their legacy and tradition. For a Hobbit, food is more than sustenance; it reflects their character, setting, and cultural values, symbolizing the comfort of home and stability. Enjoying six meals a day, food embodies Hobbits’ values of routine, community, and the simple pleasures of life. The Master Baker’s Cookbook is composed of many unique and well-loved recipes that have been enjoyed for centuries by the Hobbits. This treasured book is not just a culinary guide, but a symbol of the Shire’s deep-rooted love of food, community, and tradition. 

Created in 1355 Shire Reckoning, The Master Baker’s Cookbook stands as a testament to the heart and tradition of Hobbit life long before the War of the Ring. Handwritten on homemade paper and enclosed in leather binding, this cookbook not only holds tradition but also historical value. This culinary treasure contains a variety of recipes, from beloved seed cakes and mushroom pies to savory stews and pastries. With vast fields of barley, wheat, and vegetables, it is clear the Hobbits enjoyed a simple yet hearty diet rooted in the land. The recipes within the book are passed down through generations and reflect the Shire’s fondness for baked goods, significant to their daily lives. Seed cakes enjoyed at family gatherings, mushroom pies often baked by local farmers, and savory loaves of bread are all key recipes within the cookbook that would have been staples in Hobbit kitchens. The book serves as a record of these familiar dishes, capturing the tastes of a more peaceful time before the War of the Ring. 

The author of this beloved cookbook is widely believed to have been Primrose Goodbody, a historically praised baker and well-known resident of Hobbiton. Known for her skills in the kitchen and her warm, generous nature, Primrose was not just a baker but a testament to the Shire’s culinary traditions. On the inside of the leather binding is an inscription of Primrose’s dedication to keeping her cherished recipes in her family, reading “To my dearest children, may you always find joy in the simple act of baking, warmth in the company of loved ones, and comfort in the flavours of home. These recipes are not just meals but memories. Please pass them on and treasure them as I did. With love, mum”. The book was rediscovered after the War of the Ring by the Took family, descendants of Primrose, in a family home. Daisy Took describes finding it tucked away in a dusty, old cupboard in her great-grandmother’s kitchen and knew it needed to be preserved. Daisy so graciously donated it to The Mathom House so that these recipes and memories can be cherished for many more generations to come. 

This cookbook is not merely a collection of instruction, but a historical treasure of the Shire’s legacy, embodying the community’s heart and tradition. The recipes reflect a celebration of simple, wholesome ingredients and the joy of bringing people together over good food. Preserving this cookbook is essential in continuing the heritage of hosting community, bonding over traditional recipes, and connecting to one another through the warmth and sentiment of good food. The Master Baker’s Cookbook is a true testament to the Hobbit’s culture of simplicity, community, and an undying love for the comforts of food and home.