The book English Food by Jane Grigson was published 50 years ago this year. It’s a book that has completely changed my life and I wanted to celebrate it with a three-part special. This is part two.

In this very special episode, I am talking with award-winning food writer, broadcaster, and teacher Sophie Grigson, Jane’s daughter, not just about English Food but Jane as a writer, cook, person—and mum and role model, of course.

We talk about what inspired Jane to write three editions of English food, why I chose Jane's book to cook from, Singin’ Hinnies, Sussex pond pudding, Jane’s dislike of rhubarb, and many other things.

Sophie’s website

Sophie’s Waterstones page

Follow Sophie on Twitter @trullidelicious; Instagram @trulli_delicious; or Threads @sophie_grigson_herself

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Things mentioned in today’s episode:

The Jane Grigson Collection at Oxford Brookes University

The Jane Grigson Trust

Books and other things mentioned in today’s episode:

English Food by Jane Grigson

Jane Grigson’s Fruit Book

Jane Grigson’s Vegetable Book

Sussex Pond Pudding article by Felicity Cloake

Previous episodes pertinent to today’s episode:

50 Years of English Food by Jane Grigson

Previous blog posts pertinent to today’s episode:

Read Neil Cooks Grigson here

My first attempt at Singin’ Hinnies (it didn’t go well. But I have improved since!)

Upcoming events:

Monsters & their Meals Hallowe’en event

Pudding workshops at the Museum of Royal Worcester

Find out about upcoming events on the website here.

Neil’s blogs:

‘British Food: a History’

‘Neil Cooks Grigson’

Neil’s books:

Before Mrs Beeton: Elizabeth Raffald, England’s Most Influential Housekeeper

A Dark History of Sugar

Knead to Know: a History of Baking

The Philosophy of Puddings is available to preorder

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/britishfoodhistory