How Food Frames Stories - Robbie Armstrong

How Food Frames Stories - Robbie Armstrong

Author: Rachel Mosses September 20, 2022 Duration: 1:18:59

In these fractured times l wanted to continue to look at how stories and   food can overcome the distance between people and enhance our shared  experiences so earlier this year I spent time exploring storytelling   through food writing. I interviewed some very talented writers who tell   stories through their food writing to find out why how food has shaped   their writing and in what ways food enhances their storytelling.  They   have all had different experiences around food which has influenced  how  they write and the subjects they write about.  In their own ways  they use their writing to break down barriers through stories and food. I   hope you find these conversations as fascinating as I did.

My third interview is with Robbie Armstrong. Robbie is an audio producer, writer and broadcast journalist based in Glasgow. He has reported stories for BBC News, BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio Scotland, produced for The Food Programme, Feedback and Podlitical,  written for The Guardian and Vittles, and worked as a restaurant reviewer for The List Magazine’s Eating & Drinking Guide.  He can be found on Twitter/Instagram @robbiejourno and his website is robbiearmstrong.com 

You can find the rest of the interviews in this series here: How Food Frames Stories. You can find my interviews with storytellers here: Vernacular Voices of the Storyteller 

You can subscribe (or just read) my free newsletter for further snippets of folklore,   history, stories, vintage recipes, herblore & the occasional   cocktail.

You can also find out more at Hestia's Kitchen which has all past episodes and the connected recipes on the blog.  If   you'd like to get in touch about the podcast you can find me on Twitter or Instagram at @FairyTalesFood. If you fancy signing up to my newsletter then you can read my first one and see if you like it.


Rachel Mosses hosts Folklore, Food and Fairytales, a podcast that sits at the comfortable, worn-in table where narrative and nourishment meet. Each episode begins with a story-a piece of folklore, a fairytale, or a lesser-known myth-and then delves into the culinary world hidden within its lines. The discussion isn't just about whether the porridge in a tale is symbolic or simply a relatable detail; it's about unearthing the real food history and traditions that those fictional meals echo. You'll hear about the rituals of both eating and storytelling, and how each feeds a different kind of hunger. This podcast naturally explores how recipes are themselves stories passed down, and how the history of a dish can be as compelling as the plot of a legend. Listen for a thoughtful blend of narration and analysis, where a great story is always served with a side of fascinating context, leaving you to ponder the deep, savoury connections between the tales we tell and the food we share.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 50

Folklore, Food and Fairytales
Podcast Episodes
Rebel Folklore - An Interview with Icy Sedgwick [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:17
If you want to pre-order Icy's new book Rebel Folklore you can find links below: US Bookshop.org : Pre Order Link UK Bookshop.org : Pre Order Link You can also find out more about Icy at her website You can find more abo…
The Laird with a Heart of Gold or The Bannock Brouhaha [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:06
In which we find out that certain tropes aren't always true, that a heart of gold sometimes needs assistance and that brownies and a bannock in the house are invaluable. We also venture into peat bogs and cheese riots in…
A Cawl Tale or The Cheese Ownership Conundrum [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:04
This episdoe is a little different but I hope you enjoy a wonderful Welsh tale from fantastic storyteller Owen Staton and our chat in which we barely touch the depths of how both food and stories can break down barriers…
Why Cats & Dogs Disagree or the Risotto Resolution [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:23
In which we discover that taking care of animals is its own reward, fishermen are somehow inherently magical, womens voices can achieve change and a good risotto creates its own legend. Our story: Why Cats and Dogs Disag…
An Appalachian Visit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:19
In this episode I talked with Aaron Bobick the host of Appalachian Folklore Podcast and Stories from the Cabin, a storytelling podcast within a podcast and we talked all things food, folklore and story. Aaron is a brewer…
The Search for Luck or the Egg Extravaganza [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:41
In which we find out that eggs are not as straight forward as you might think, that luck doesn't really come into it, that truths can be uncomfortable and that the advice you recieve from old women is invaluable no matte…
Prince Lindorm or The Onion Protocol [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:48
In which we discover that princes can be forgiven anything, that women are destined to some sorrow no matter what they do, that onions aren't always just onions and secure mail is essential. Our story: Prince Lindorm, ad…
The Brave Little Shoemaker or The Ricotta Resentment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:10
In which a shoemaker reluctantly becomes a hero, a princess reluctantly gets married and we discover the relevance of a giant, a unicorn, a wild boar and some ricotta. The Story in this episode is: The Brave Little Shoem…
The Christmas Cuckoo or The Barley Bread Allegory [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:05
The Story in this episode is: The Christmas Cuckoo - This story is adapted from a literary fairytale written by Frances Elizabeth Browne from a book called from Granny’s Wonderful Chair, first published in 1856. Frances…
The Palace That Stood on Golden Pillars or The Porridge Pomposity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:43
In which we discover that if there is ever a choice between a cat and a cow, choose the cat, arguments over porridge are rarely worth it and that the main differences between royalty and commoners is that commoners get a…