In the earliest printed editions, it was usually called De re coquinaria (On the Subject of Cooking), and attributed to an otherwise unknown Caelius Apicius, an invention based on the fact that one of the two manuscripts is headed with the words "API CAE" or rather because there are a few recipes attributed to Apicius in the text: Patinam Apicianam sic facies (IV, 14) Ofellas Apicianas (VII, 2).
Varajastes trükitud väljaannetes oli ta tavaliselt nimetatud  De re coquinaria (Teemal Toiduvalmistamine) ja omistatud tundmatule  Caelius Apicius, leiutis mis põhineb asjaolu, et üks kahest käsikirjast on pealkirjastatud sõnaedega "API CAE" või pigem sellepärast, et seal on mõned retseptid, mis omistatakse Apiciusele tekst: Patinam Apicianam sic facies (IV, 14) Ofellas Apicianas (VII, 2).