Turkey with Tom Copas

Turkey with Tom Copas

Author: Neil Buttery December 1, 2024 Duration: 41:59
The British Food History Podcast
HistoryArtsCultureFoodSocietySociety & Culture

It’s December, Advent has begun, and we can officially start discussing Christmas so I have put together an episode about turkey that is very much of two halves. There’s an interview with Tom Copas, a turkey farmer who really looks after his flock: slow-grown, high welfare, and I have bought many a turkey from him over the years. Before that, I have prepared a little bit on the history of the turkey in Britain, spanning from Tudor times to the 20th century where it went from regal food to Christmas Day staple. Tom and I talked about farming family history, the intricacies of turkey farming, when the term ‘free-range’ is misleading, cooking tips and turkey crackling: amongst many other things.

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Order your Christmas turkey from the Copas Farm shop


Find Copas Turkeys on social media: Twitter/X @CopasTurkeys; Insta: @copasfarmshop or @tomcopas


Podcast episodes pertinent to today’s episode:

Christmas Feasting with Annie Gray

Tudor Cooking & Cuisine with Brigitte Webster


Turkey history references:

At Christmas We Feast: Festive Food Through the Ages (2021) Annie Gray

Eating with the Tudors: Food and Recipes (2023) Brigitte Webster

The Good Housewife’s Jewel (1596) Thomas Dawson

The Compleat Cook (1662) W. M.

E. Kidder's Receipts of Pastry and Cookery (1741) Edward Kidder

A Christmas Carol (1843) Charles Dickens


Upcoming events:

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


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: https://www.facebook.com/groups/britishfoodhistory

Mentioned in this episode:

Fruit Pig are currently sponsoring The British Food History Podcast

Visit fruitpig.co.uk for more details of their products and journey, and to access their...


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

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