Special Postbag Edition #2

Special Postbag Edition #2

Author: Neil Buttery March 5, 2023 Duration: 50:13

Neil’s polishing off season 5 with a postbag edition of news, readers’ questions, comments and queries, special events and other miscellany.

Previous Episodes discussed in this episode:

Invalid Cookery with Lindsay Middleton

Traditional Food of Lincolnshire with Rachel Green

Christmas Feasting with Annie Gray

Hogmanay and Hamely Kitchen with Paula McIntyre

Eel special: 1. Elvers with 'Elver' Dave

Eel special: 2. Silver Eels with John Wyatt Greenlee

Eel special: 3. The Plight of the Eel with Andrew Kerr

18th Century Dining with Ivan Day

Christmas Special 2021: Christmas Pudding

The British Cook Book with Ben Mervis

Yorkshire Pudding with Elaine Lemm

Upcoming Events:

Celebrations. 37th Leeds Symposium of Food History & Traditions 20 May 2023: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/celebrations-37th-leeds-symposium-of-food-history-traditions-tickets-554704063787?fbclid=IwAR3f6l4dlB23S0_0TYNvQhXTVpyDIqpAc3eb4FmatS2kFvkW5csaqb-8dpg

The Wilder Wedmore Eel Release Project crowdfunder and festival: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/the-wilder-wedmore-eel-release-project---june-23


Things from the web mentioned in this episode:

Food Matters Live podcast, featuring Neil talking about food innovations: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5y5RWFFDQfQx8vXIHogKQQ?si=36b94a2985e14084

Chambers’ Book of Days: https://www.thebookofdays.com/

Clarissa Dickson-Wright’s BBC TV programme about pigs & Lincolnshire chine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0X37TOqjGA

Raised Pies post on Neil Cooks Grigson: https://neilcooksgrigson.com/2011/03/17/282-raised-pies/

BBC News article on the eel spawning mystery: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63259738

Cornish Pasty post on British Food: a History: https://britishfoodhistory.com/2019/09/13/cornish-pasties/

Early Scots recipe manuscripts: https://digital.nls.uk/recipes/introduction.html

Early Welsh recipe manuscript: https://www.library.wales/discover-learn/digital-exhibitions/manuscripts/early-modern-period/merryell-williamss-book-of-recipes#?c=&m=&s=&cv=&xywh=-1322%2C-1%2C6102%2C4894

Christopher Monk's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MonksModernMedievalCuisine

Dr Cheung’s breakfast nonsense:


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.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 90

The British Food History Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Haggis & the First Burns Suppers with Jennie Hood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:55
Welcome to the first of a two-part special all about Burns Night.Burns Night, celebrated on Robert Burns’ birthday, 25th January, is a worldwide phenomenon and I wanted to make a couple of episodes focussing upon the nig…
Special Postbag Edition #6 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:35
It’s time for the now traditional end-of-season postbag episode of The British Food History Podcast, where I (attempt to) answer your questions, read out your comments and mull over your queries. Several photos and illus…
Shakespearean Food & Drink with Sam Bilton [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:37
My guest on The British Food History Podcast today food historian and friend of the show Sam Bilton, podcaster and author of Much Ado About Cooking Delicious Shakespearean Feasts for Every Occasion, published by Headline…
Welsh Sheep & Cattle with Carwyn Graves [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:30
My guest today is food historian Carwyn Graves, a specialist in the foodways and traditions of Wales, and we are talking about Welsh Sheep and Cattle – and their products. Carwyn has written a wonderful book called Welsh…
Housekeepers & Butlers with Peter Brears [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:56
In today’s episode, I speak with Peter Brears, a world-leading food historian. He was director of both York and Leeds City Museums, and is a consultant to the National Trust, English Heritage and Historic Royal Palaces.H…
Worcester Porcelain with Paul Crane [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:00
In this episode, I talk with ceramics expert Paul Crane FSA about the early years of Worcester porcelain. Paul is a consultant at the Brian Haughton Gallery, St James’s, London, and a specialist in Ceramics from the Medi…
Ireland, Ale & the Colonising British with Christina Wade [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:59
In this episode, I speak with Christina Wade, a beer historian specialising in the UK and Ireland, with a particular focus on women. She has written an excellent book, Filthy Queens: A History of Beer in Ireland, which w…
BONUS EPISODE: Serve it Forth Food History Festival Special [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:54
Hello there everyone!Here’s a quick special bonus episode for you – the lowdown on the Serve it Forth Food History Festival 2025 sponsored by the excellent Netherton Foundry.My fellow festival coordinators Sam Bilton, Th…