… from the Canterbury Tales

They had a cook with them who stood alone
For boiling chicken with a marrow bone,
Sharp flavouring powder and a spice for savour.
He could distinguish London ale by flavour,
And he could roast and boil and seethe and fry,
Make good thick soup and bake a tasty pie ……
As for blancmange, he made it with the best.
                                       
                                                                              -Geoffrey Chaucer