"To my mind four things are necessary before a nation can develop a great cuisine. First the abundance of fine ingredients - a rich land. The second is a variety of cultural influences: the history of a nation, including it's domination by foriegn powers and the culinary secrets it has brought back from its own imperialist adventures. Third, a great civilization - if a country has not had its day in the sun , its cuisine will probably not be great; great food and a great civilization go together. Last, the existance of a refined palace life - without royal kitchens,...without the demands of a cultivated court - the imaginations of a nation's cooks will not be challenged" - Paula Wolfert, Couscous and Other Good Food from Morocco.