The British Food History Podcast

The podcast will return for its 8th season later this month and there are some great episodes coming up for you.I’ve got a new book out called Knead to Know a History of Baking is out on the 12 September published by Icon Books I will be doing a free Zoom talk at 7pm (UK time) on 10 September. To book your spot, please click this link to the Eventbrite page.See you all properly toward the end of the month.Neil’s blogs:‘British Food: a History’ ‘Neil Cooks Grigson’ Neil’s books:Before Mrs Beeton: Elizabeth Raffald, England’s Most Influential HousekeeperA Dark History of Sugar Don’t forget, there will be postbag episodes in the future, so if you have any questions or queries about today’s episode, or indeed any episode, or have a question about the history of British food please email Neil at neil@britishfoodhistory.com, or on twitter and BlueSky @neilbuttery, or Instagram and Threads dr_neil_buttery. His DMs are open.You can also join the British Food: a History Facebook discussion page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/britishfoodhistoryThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

It’s the end of season seven, so it is time for the traditional special postbag edition of the podcast. Much is covered: feminist dining tables, 17th-century household books, regional gingerbreads, musk-flavoured sweeties and much more.Thanks to everyone who wrote in with a question, comment or query.The podcast will return in August.Support the podcast and blogs by becoming, if you can, a £3 monthly subscriber, and unlock lots of premium content, or treat me to a one-off virtual pint or coffee: click here.Previous podcast episodes mentioned in today’s episode:Spices with Ian AndersonChristmas Special 2023: Mince PiesThe Philosophy of Chocolate with Sam BiltonHistorical Cookery with Jay ReifelOrmskirk Gingerbread with Anouska Lewis18th Century Tavern Cooking with Marc Meltonville18th Century Dining with Ivan DayRecreating 16th Century Beer with Susan Flavin & Marc MeltonvilleElizabeth Raffald with Alessandra Pino & Neil ButteryFood in Gothic Literature with Alessandra PinoTraditional Food of Lincolnshire with Rachel GreenBlog posts mentioned in today’s episode:Quick & Easy Puff or Rough Puff PastryWhat’s in a Name?: Buttery#446 Lincolnshire Chine#174 Grasmere Gingerbread I#244 Grasmere Gingerbread IIBooks mentioned in today’s episode:The Accomplish’t Cook by Robert MayGood Things in England by Florence WhiteFood in England by Dorothy HartleyLost Country Practices by Dorothy HartleyOther things mentioned in today’s episode:a...

Today I am talking with chef Jay Reifel who specialises in cooking historical food. He has co-written a beautiful book with collaborator Victoria Flexner called The History of the World in 10 Dinners.We talk about the influence of other cultures on British cuisine as well as the influence British cuisine has had on other cuisines, sweet and sour food, mince pies, mediocre medieval spices, and helmeted cocks – amongst many other things.This is the last regular episode of the run, meaning that the next episode will be the traditional postbag edition – so send me your comments, questions, and queries. Your deadline is the 28th of May 2024.Support the podcast and blogs by becoming, if you can, a £3 monthly subscriber, and unlock lots of premium content, or treat me to a one-off virtual pint or coffee: click here.Follow Jay on Instagram @jayreifel and visit his website jayreifel.com – where you can find more details of his book.Things mentioned in today’s episode:Jay’s Helmeted Cock in VogueNeil’s Helmeted Cock on Channel 5Previous podcast episodes pertinent to today’s episode:The History of Food Waste & Preservation with Eleanor BarnettMedieval Meals & Manners with Danièle CybulskieSpices with Ian AndersonChristmas Special 2023: Mince PiesTudor Cooking & Cuisine with Brigitte WebsterForme of Cury with Christopher MonkPrevious blog posts pertinent to today’s episode:Westmorland Sweet Lamb PieFavourite Cook Books no.3: The Forme of Cury, Part IFavourite Cook Books no. 3: The Forme of Cury, part 2 – recipesUpcoming events:British Library Food Season 2024, 25 May at 2pm. We Invented the Weekend festival, Salford, 16th June

Niche topic alert! Today I amtalking to Anouska Lewis about Ormskirk Gingerbread.Anouska is the writer and presenterof the BBC Sounds podcast Hometown Boring? The first episodebeing all about Ormskirk gingerbreadWetalk about how one lands getting a podcast series on BBC Sounds in the firstplace; the ingredients of Ormskirk gingerbread, the town’s pride in itsgingerbread, the gingerbread ladies who sold them at the train station in theVictorian period, Ormskirk’s link with Liverpool’s sugar and slave trade, andthe value of having difficult conversations – amongst many other things.Support the podcast and blogs bybecoming, if you can, a £3 monthly subscriber, and unlock lots of premiumcontent, or treat me to a one-off virtual pint or coffee: click here.Listen to Hometown Boring? on BBC SoundsFollow Anouska on Instagram @history_hun and TikTok @historyhunThings mentioned in today’s episode:Ormskirk Gingerbread on the Foods of England websiteA Dark History of Sugar by Neil ButteryPrevious podcast episodes pertinent to today’s episode:Gingerbread with Sam BiltonUpcoming events:British Library Food Season 2024, 25 May at 2pm. Ludlow Food Festival, Friday 13th September. Warwick Words History Festival, Thursday 3rd October at 4.30pm. Neil’s blogs:‘British Food: a History’ ‘Neil Cooks Grigson’ Neil’s books:Before Mrs Beeton: Elizabeth Raffald, England’s Most Influential HousekeeperA Dark History of Sugar Both are published by Pen & Sword and available from all good bookshops. Don’t forget, there will be postbag episodes in the future, so if you have any questions or queries about today’s episode, or indeed any episode, or have a question about the history of British food please email me at neil@britishfoodhistory.com, or on twitter and BlueSky @neilbuttery, or Instagram and Threads dr_neil_buttery. My DMs are open.You can also join the British Food: a History Facebook discussion page: a...

Today I am talking to Eleanor Barnett about the history of food waste and preservation.Eleanor has written a fantastic book about the history of how we as a society have (and sometimes have not) dealt with eliminating waste and preserving precious food resources. It is called Leftovers: A History of Food Waste & Preservation, and it is out now published by Bloomsbury.We talk about the fabulously wasteful food of 17th century cook Robert May, whose responsibility it was to preserve food in the home (hint: not the man of the house), pies as preservation method, the food waste used in agriculture and industry, food preservation in wartime, and Hannah Glasse’s dubious method for preserving very rank potted birds, plus many other things – we fit a lot into today’s episode. Support the podcast and blogs by becoming, if you can, a £3 monthly subscriber, and unlock lots of premium content, or treat me to a one-off virtual pint or coffee: click here.Leftovers: A History of Food Waste & Preservation is out now.Books mentioned in today’s episode:Robert May’s The Accomplisht CookSir Hugh Platt’s Delights for LadiesHannah Glasse’s The Art of CookeryPrevious podcast episodes pertinent to today’s episode:London’s Street Food Sellers with Charlie TavernerChristmas Special 2023: Mince PiesUpcoming events:The Leeds Symposium of Food History & Traditions, York, 27 April 2024. British Library Food Season 2024, 25 May at 2pm. Tickets and info to come soon!Ludlow Food Festival, Friday 13th September. Warwick Words History Festival, Thursday 3rd October at 4.30pm. Neil’s blogs:‘British Food: a History’ ‘Neil Cooks Grigson’ Neil’s books:Before Mrs Beeton: Elizabeth Raffald, England’s Most Influential HousekeeperA Dark History of Sugar...

Today I am talking to three guests about the Scottish Salt Industry – returning guest Aaron Allen, and also Joanne Hambly and Ed BethuneIn today’s most enlightening discussion, we talk about the importance of the salt industry in Scotland from the early modern period, the uses of salt – beyond seasoning of food, the Cockenzie Saltworks Project, the social history of the site and some of the exciting archaeological finds uncovered there, how salt was made, and why Sunday salt is the best salt – amongst many other things.Support the podcast and blogs by becoming, if you can, a £3 monthly subscriber, and unlock lots of premium content, or treat me to a one-off virtual pint or coffee: click here.Salt: Scotland’s Oldest Newest Industry is out now and published by Birlinn.Other things mentioned in today’s episode:1722 Waggonway Project websiteSalt Symposium 2021 on the SCAPE Trust websiteBook your ticket for the 2024 Leeds Symposium on Food History and Traditions Previous podcast episodes pertinent to today’s episode:Cake Baxters in Early Modern Scotland with Aaron AllenNeil’s blogs:‘British Food: a History’ ‘Neil Cooks Grigson’ Neil’s books:Before Mrs Beeton: Elizabeth Raffald, England’s Most Influential HousekeeperA Dark History of Sugar Both are published by Pen & Sword and available from all good bookshops. Don’t forget, there will be postbag episodes in the future, so if you have any questions or queries about today’s episode, or indeed any episode, or have a question about the history of British food please email Neil at neil@britishfoodhistory.com, or on twitter and BlueSky @neilbuttery, or Instagram and Threads dr_neil_buttery. His DMs are open.You can also join the British Food: a History Facebook discussion page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/britishfoodhistoryThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

In today’s episode, I am talking with author and food historian Pen Vogler about her book Stuffed: A History of Good Food and Hard Times in Britain which was published toward the end of last year 2023.We discuss how precarious our food supply was and is, the Enclosure Acts and their effect upon our relationship with food, allotments, havercakes, adulteration and malnutrition, school dinners and Hannah Woolley’s pumpkin pie, amongst many other things.Support the podcast and blogs by becoming, if you can, a £3 monthly subscriber, and unlock lots of premium content, or treat me to a one-off virtual pint or coffee: click here.Pen’s book Stuffed: A History of Good Food and Hard Times in Britain is out now.Oxford Literary FestivalHexham Book FestivalHay FestivalFind Pen on social media: Twitter & Instagram @PenVoglerBooks and other things mentioned in today’s episode:Scoff: A History of Food and Class in Britain by Pen VoglerMy interpretation of Hannah Woolley/W.M.’s pumpkin pie recipeUltra-Processed People by Chris van TullekenPrevious podcast episodes pertinent to today’s episode:The School Meals Service with Heather EllisEnglish Food, a People's History with Diane PurkissA History of Herbalism with Emma KayNeil’s blogs:‘British Food: a History’ ‘Neil Cooks Grigson’ Neil’s books:Before Mrs Beeton: Elizabeth Raffald, England’s Most Influential HousekeeperA Dark History of Sugar Both are published by Pen & Sword and available from all good bookshops. Don’t forget, there will be postbag episodes in the future, so if you have any questions or queries about today’s episode, or indeed any episode, or have a question about the history of British food please email Neil at neil@britishfoodhistory.com, or on twitter and BlueSky@neilbuttery, or Instagram and Threads dr_neil_buttery. His DMs are open.You can also join the British Food: a History Facebook discussion page:

In today’s episode, I am talking with renowned food historian, chef and confectioner Ivan Day.The 38th Leeds Food Symposium of Food History and Traditions is coming up – 27 April 2024 to be exact – Ivan is the Chair of the Symposium, so we had a good talk about the history and influence of this most important annual event on the study of food history.We talked about a pioneer of food history study C. Ann Wilson who was the librarian at the Brotherton Library at the University of Leeds, who, with Peter Brears, Lynette Hunter and Jennifer Staid, created the Symposium in 1986. We also talk about this year's Symposium on 27 April 2024. The topic of this year being ‘Presenting the Food of the Past in Museums and Historic Houses’.Also discussed: the excellent work of Peter Brears, the speakers of this year’s symposium, the social side of the symposium – including the excellent buffet – and why the Leeds symposium is held in York, amongst many other things.Support the podcast and blogs by becoming, if you can, a £3 monthly subscriber, and unlock lots of premium content, or treat me to a one-off virtual pint or coffee: click here.The Leeds Symposium on FoodHistory & Traditions websiteThe Symposium’s Eventbrite pageFind Ivan on Instagram @ivanpatrickdayBooks and other things mentioned in today’s episode:Brotherton Library cookery collection, University of LeedsFood & Drink in Britain from the Stone Age to Recent Times by C. Anne WilsonOver a Red-Hot Stove edited by Ivan DayFairfax House, YorkYork Castle MuseumShibden Hall, HalifaxCooking & Dining in the Victorian Country House by Peter BrearsThe Food MuseumElizabeth Raffald, England’s Most Influential Housekeeper by Neil ButteryPrevious podcast episodes pertinent to today’s episode:18th Century Dining with Ivan Day

This bonus episode is in fact a pilot for a new podcast show I have made with Sam Bilton and Alessandra Pino.Enjoy! In the very first episode, Neil is presenting and gives everyone a free choice as to what topic they want to talk about, as long as it begins with A of course. Alessandra goes for apples, Neil chooses absinthe and Sam looks into adulteration.Links to things mentioned in this episode:‘13 Magical Ways to Use Apples’Glyn Hughes’ Alan Turin sculpture‘Lancashire man poisoned after eating cherry seeds’ article on BBC News‘How Did La Belle Époque Become Europe’s Golden Age?’ article on The Collector‘Site of "The Absinthe Murders"’ article on Atlas ObscuraThe Apple Tree (1952) by Daphne du MaurierHallowe’en Party (1969) by Agatha ChristieThe July Ghost (1982) by A.S. ByattJoin our free Substack to get extra bonus features: https://substack.com/profile/147444179-sam-bilton Anything to add? Don’t forget we want to hear your suggestions for future topics.Contact the pod:email: aisforapplepod.gmail.comSocial media:twitter/X: @aisforapplepodInstagram: @aisforapplepod_This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

In today’s episode, I am talking with medieval historian Danièle Cybulskie – also known as the 5-Minute Medievalist – about table manners in the Middle Ages.Danièle’s excellent new book Chivalry and Courtesy: Medieval Manners for a Modern World is out now and published by Abbeville Press.We talked about table manners, the importance of sharing and cleanliness, carving terminology, turkey legs and the pressures put on the person organising and overseeing the feasts and meals – the lady of the house…amongst many other things.Danièle’s websiteDanièle is known as @5MinMedievalist on all social media platformsFind out more about Chivalry and Courtesy: Medieval Manners for a Modern World hereThere are four Easter eggs associated with this episode. To become a £3 monthly subscriber, and access them and other premium content, or to buy me a virtual pint or coffee to support the running of the blogs and podcast click here.Links to things mentioned in today’s episode:The Goodman of ParisBBC Food Programme episode about bitter foods on BBC SoundsPrevious podcast episodes pertinent to today’s episode:Forme of Cury with Christopher MonkNeil’s blogs:‘British Food: a History’ ‘Neil Cooks Grigson’ Neil’s books:Before Mrs Beeton: Elizabeth Raffald, England’s Most Influential HousekeeperA Dark History of Sugar Both are published by Pen & Sword and available from all good bookshops. Don’t forget, there will be postbag episodes in the future, so if you have any questions or queries about today’s episode, or indeed any episode, or have a question about the history of British food please email Neil at neil@britishfoodhistory.com, or on twitter and BlueSky @neilbuttery, or Instagram and Threads dr_neil_buttery. His DMs are open.You can also join the British Food: a History Facebook discussion page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/britishfoodhistoryThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

In today’s episode, I am talking with Ian Anderson who has written a fantastic book published by the History Press called The History and Natural History of Spices.We discuss what a spice is – the definition changes through time, and includes animal as well as plant products – black pepper, the Portuguese spice trade, sugar as a spice, mustard and Thomas Moore’s head – amongst many other things.Ian’s Instagram page: @ian.d.andersonFind out more about The History and Natural History of Spices here.There is one Easter egg associated with this episode. To become a £3 monthly subscriber, and access them and other premium content, or to buy me a virtual pint or coffee to support the running of the blogs and podcast click here.Links to things mentioned in today’s episode:Ivan Day’s blog post showing some of his sugar sculpturesThe Hoxne pepperpotEventbrite page for the 2024 Leeds Food and Drink Symposium April 2024Neil’s blogs:‘British Food: a History’ ‘Neil Cooks Grigson’ Neil’s books:Before Mrs Beeton: Elizabeth Raffald, England’s Most Influential HousekeeperA Dark History of Sugar Both are published by Pen & Sword and available from all good bookshops. Don’t forget, there will be postbag episodes in the future, so if you have any questions or queries about today’s episode, or indeed any episode, or have a question about the history of British food please email Neil at neil@britishfoodhistory.com, or on twitter and BlueSky @neilbuttery, or Instagram and Threads dr_neil_buttery. His DMs are open.You can also join the British Food: a History Facebook discussion page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/britishfoodhistoryThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

In today’s episode I am talking to returning guest and friend of the show food historian and writer Sam Bilton about her new book The Philosophy of Chocolate published by the British Library. Today Sam and I talk about how the peoples of Mesoamerica took their chocolate, how it came to Britain, chocolate houses, the sexualisation of chocolate, and the Cadbury’s Crème Egg Controversy, amongst other things.Find out more about the Philosophy of Chocolate here.There are 2 Easter eggs associated with this episode. To become a £3 monthly subscriber, and access them and other premium content, or to buy me a virtual pint or coffee to support the running of the blogs and podcast click here.Links to things mentioned in today’s episode:Sam’s podcast Comfortably HungryA Flake ad from in 1980sA Flake ad from the 1990sThe Cadbury’s Caramel rabbitSam’s social media handles:Twitter/Insta/Threads: @mrssbiltonBluesky: @mrssbilton.bsky.socialSam’s website: sambilton.com Previous episodes pertinent to today’s episode:Lent Episode 3: Pagan Lent & EasterA Dark History of Chocolate with Emma KayThe Philosophy of Curry with Sejal SukhadwalaGingerbread with Sam BiltonSaffron with Sam BiltonTripe SpecialNeil’s blogs:‘British Food: a History’ ‘Neil Cooks Grigson’ Neil’s books:Before Mrs Beeton: Elizabeth Raffald, England’s Most Influential HousekeeperA Dark History of Sugar Both are published by Pen & Sword and available from all good bookshops. Don’t forget, there will be postbag episodes in the future, so if you have any questions or queries about today’s episode, or indeed any episode, or have a question about the history of British food please email Neil at neil@britishfoodhistory.com, or on twitter...

S07E03Apples & Orchards shownotesHappy New Year and welcome to episode 50 of the British Food History Podcast! I talk to Joanna Crosby about the history of apples and orchards in England. I saved this episode specially for today because it is Twelfth Night – the last day of Christmas – the traditional day of the Wassail, the blessing of the apple orchards. Joanna’s new book Apples and Orchards since the Eighteenth Century is out now from Bloomsbury.Things discussed today include, the origins of the apple, growing and grafting apple trees, some of the excellent names given to varieties – including Bramley's Seedling and the Cox’s Orange Pippin, Wassailing and the London apple women of the nineteenth century. And more!There are 4 Easter eggs associated with this episode. To become a £3 monthly subscriber, and access them and other premium content, or to buy me a virtual pint or coffee to support the running of the blogs and podcast click here.Things mentioned in today’s episode:The Pomological Personality PickerHenry Mayhew’s London Labour and the London Poor (Vol 2)Neil’s Apple Hat recipeNeil’s appearance on Fear Feasts podcastPrevious episodes pertinent to today’s episode:London’s Street Food Sellers with Charlie TavernerNeil’s blogs:‘British Food: a History’ ‘Neil Cooks Grigson’ Neil’s books:Before Mrs Beeton: Elizabeth Raffald, England’s Most Influential HousekeeperA Dark History of Sugar Both are published by Pen & Sword and available from all good bookshops. Don’t forget, there will be postbag episodes in the future, so if you have any questions or queries about today’s episode, or indeed any episode, or have a question about the history of British food please email Neil at neil@britishfoodhistory.com, or on twitter @neilbuttery, or Instagram and Threads dr_neil_buttery. His DMs are open. He is also on BlueSky at @neilbuttery.bsky.social You can also join the British Food: a History Facebook discussion page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/britishfoodhistoryThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!Leaving a mince pie out for Santa this year? I do hope so. This year’s Christmas Special is all about mince pies: the history and baking, as well as the confusion surrounding the fact that there’s no meat in them. Neil makes some early 18th-century-shaped pies and makes a sweet lamb mincemeat from the North of England. He’s on a mission to get the meat back into mincemeat AND to have them on the menu outside of the Christmas period.A huge thank you to Ivan Day for his help regarding the making of those 18th-century pies.*blog posts of recipes to accompany the episode will appear on Wednesday 20th December and Friday 22nd December 2023.*Things mentioned in today’s episode:Ivan Day’s blog post about mince pies The Accomplisht Cook by Robert MayThe Experienced English Housekeeper by Elizabeth RaffaldMrs Beeton’s Book of Household ManagementReceipts of Pastry and Cookery by Edward KidderJane Grigson’s Orange MincemeatMrs Beeton’s Mincemeat RecipeJane Grigson’s Gooseberry Tarts recipeIvan Day’s historical pie-making courseNeil’s appearance on the Full English podcastNeil’s appearance on the Shackbaggerly podcastNeil's A Dark History of Sugar talkNeil's Museum of Royal Worcester talkPrevious episodes mentioned in today’s episode:Pagan Lent and Easter (includes a section on hot cross buns)Elizabeth Raffald with Alessandra Pino & Neil Buttery Christmas Feasting with Annie Gray

Welcome to a special bonus episode of the podcast which is a collaboration between myself and the Delicious Legacy, hosted by Thomas Ntinas. It’s all about some of the women who were writing cookery books in the 18th century, their characters and the influence they still have upon us today. Things mentioned in today’s episode:Thomas’s podcast Delicious LegacyThe Compleat Housewife by Eliza SmithThe Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy by Hannah GlasseProfessed Cookery by Ann CookThe Experienced English Housekeeper by Elizabeth RaffaldBefore Mrs Beeton: Elizabeth Raffald, England’s Most Influential HousekeeperA. Cook’s Perspective: A Fascinating Insight into 18th-century Recipes by TwoHistoric Cooks by Clarissa F. Dillon & Deborah J. PetersonMore on Yorkshire Christmas PyesNeil’s disastrous Christmas PyeIvan Day’s Historic Ices courseDon’t forget, there will be postbag episodes in the future, so if you have any questions or queries about today’s episode, or indeed any episode, or have a question about the history of British food please email Neil at neil@britishfoodhistory.com, or on twitter @neilbuttery, or Instagram and Threads dr_neil_buttery his DMs are open. Youcan also join the British Food: a History Facebook discussion page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/britishfoodhistoryNeil’s blogs:‘British Food: a History’ ‘Neil Cooks Grigson’ Neil’s books:Before Mrs Beeton: Elizabeth Raffald, England’s Most Influential HousekeeperA Dark History of Sugar Both are published by Pen & Sword and available from all good bookshops....