Savouries
In this episode Neil looks at the rise and fall of the now largely forgotten savoury course, once a mainstay of Victorian and Edwardian dinners. He focusses upon some classics: Scotch woodcock, devilled chicken livers an…
The British Food History Podcast
Dr. Neil Buttery hosts The British Food History Podcast, a journey into the stories on our plates. This isn't just a catalogue of dishes; it's an exploration of how food intertwines with culture, society, and the arts across Britain's long history. Each episode digs into the substance behind our sustenance, whether that means reviving forgotten recipes, examining hyper-regional specialties, or getting hands-on with traditional techniques that have nearly vanished. Neil often brings along special guests for insightful interviews, and he isn't afraid to get involved with historical re-enactments or a bit of foraging to better understand the past. The central, curious thread running through the series is a quest to understand what truly defines this cuisine-what makes British food distinctly itself, with all its celebrated and sometimes surprising characteristics. Listeners will find a rich, engaging mix of narrative, practical experiment, and thoughtful conversation, all served with a genuine appreciation for the subject's depth. Tune in for a podcast that proves history is best understood through the flavors, efforts, and traditions of everyday life.
Episodes
Forme of Cury with Christopher Monk
Forme of Cury with Christopher MonkIn episode two of the second season Neil chats to foodhistorian, chef and scholar Dr Christopher Monk about the first cookbookwritten in the English language: Forme of Cury. We talked a…
Gingerbread with Sam Bilton
Gingerbread with Sam BiltonIn the first episode of the second season Neil chats to food historian, cook and chef, Sam Bilton, author of gingerbread cookbook ‘First Catch Your Gingerbread’. We talked about – amongst other…
Lent episode 7: Lent Comes to an End
Originally released 4 Apr 2020.*Best listened to on the sixth and final Sunday of Lent*In the final episode of the season, we look at how the last Sunday of Lent was marked in the past, focussing on Fig Sunday and Palm S…
Lent episode 6: Social Evolution & Lent
*Best listened to on the fifth Sunday of Lent*In the penultimate episode of the first season, we look at what goes on in the fifth Sunday of Lent, which was called Carlin Sunday in some parts of Britain, a day when carli…
Lent episode 5: Lent & Health
Originally released 22 Mar 2020.*Best listened of the fourth Sunday of Lent (Mothering Sunday)*In the fifth episode of the season we look at Mid-Lent Sunday, traditionally a day where lots of different celebrations occur…
Lent episode 4: The Natural History of Lent
Originally released 15 Mar 2020.*Best listened to on the third Sunday of Lent*In part four, we look at how Lent was dumbed down over the years from extremely strict to almost non-existent. Then Neil investigates the natu…
Lent episode 3: Pagan Lent & Easter
Originally released 8 Mar 2020.*Best listened to on the second Sunday of Lent*In this episode we look at Pagan aspects of Lent and Easter that have endured to the modern day and investigate how the Christian Church had t…
Lent episode 2: The History of Lent
Originally released 1 Mar 2020*Best listened to on the first Sunday of Lent*This episode explores Ember Week, a nod to the coming of Spring always observed in the first full week of Lent. We see how folk in medieval Brit…
Lent episode 1: Preparing for Lent
Originally released 19 Feb 2020*Best listened to the Sunday before Lent starts (i.e. Sunday before Pancake Day)This first episode explores all the things traditionally happen (and are eaten) before the great Lenten fast…
