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The British Food History Podcast

The British Food History Podcast

By: Neil Buttery
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Welcome to 'The British Food History Podcast': British food in all its (sometimes gory) glory with Dr. Neil Buttery. He'll be looking in depth at all aspects of food with interviews with special guests, recipes, re-enactments, foraging, trying his hand at traditional techniques, and tracking down forgotten recipes and hyper-regional specialities. He'll also be trying to answer the big question: What makes British food, so...British? This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrpCopyright 2026 Neil Buttery Art Cooking Food & Wine Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • Treasures of the Guildhall Library with Peter Ross

    Treasures of the Guildhall Library with Peter Ross
    Jun 7 2026
    Today I am talking with returning guest Peter Ross who was, until recently, the Principal Librarian at the City of London's Guildhall Library. His fantastic book called Insatiable Appetites, Eating Out in Georgian London, published by the Bodleian Library was published last month, May 2026. Today we are talking about the collections in the Guildhall Library, which is a staggering 600 years old.We mention quite a few books and collections, but there are links in the shownotes, and there will be images on the accompanying blog post, so do check that out too.We talk about the history of the library and how it got some of its collections such as the Elizabeth David collection, but also some of the lesser known ones such as the Robert Miller collection, the splendiferous feast put on for James I by the Merchant Tailors, the importance of the author’s voice when it comes to writing popular cookery books, Hannah Glasse’s sauerkraut, and Elizabeth David’s Fanny Cradock avoidance techniques, amongst many other things.Those listening to the secret podcast get some bonus material where we discuss the Hannah Glasse recipes that don’t work, the Worshipful Company of Brewers, poisonous pears in pewter pots and more.The Guildhall LibraryInsatiable Appetites, Eating Out in Georgian London by Peter RossPeter will be at the Chalke History Festival on 27 June 2024 talking about Georgian FeastingAccompanying blog post on British Food: A HistorySeason 10 of the podcast is sponsored by Netherton Foundry, makers of high-quality kitchen and outdoor cookware. Netherton Foundry ships to several countries outside of the UK, including the USA and Canada. Visit www.netherton-foundry.co.uk to find out more about their wonderful products – approved not just by me but by folk such as Tom Parker-Bowles, Diana Henry and Nigella Lawson.The mixing and sound engineering were done by Thomas Ndinas of The Delicious Legacy podcastIf you can, support the podcast and blogs by becoming a £3 monthly subscriber, and unlock lots of premium content, including bonus blog posts and recipes, access to the easter eggs and the secret podcast, or treat me to a one-off virtual pint or coffee: click here. Things mentioned in today’s episodeThe Guildhall Library CollectionsThe Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy by Hannah GlasseThe Closet of the Eminently Learned Sir Kenelme Digby kt. OpenedChoice and experimented receipts in physick and chirurgery by Kenelm DigbyLi tre trattati on Abebooks for a mere £12,500A Creative List of Meat Carving Terms from the Middle AgesPrevious pertinent podcast episodesEating Out in Georgian London with Peter RossFanny Cradock with Kevin GeddesEarly Television Cookbooks and Tie-ins with Kevin GeddesThe English Table with Jill Norman50 Years of 'English Food' by Jane Grigson with Sam Bilton, Annie Gray, Ivan Day & Jill Norman18th Century Female Cookery Writers with the Delicious Legacy PodcastPrevious pertinent blog postsCharles Darwin and the OwlNeil’s blogs and YouTube channel:‘British Food: a History’The British Food History Channel‘Neil Cooks Grigson’ Neil’s books:Before Mrs Beeton: Elizabeth Raffald, England’s Most Influential HousekeeperA Dark History of SugarKnead to Know: a History of BakingThe Philosophy of PuddingsDon’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/britishfoodhistoryThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp
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    42 mins
  • Children's Food with Deborah Albon & Amy Palmer

    Children's Food with Deborah Albon & Amy Palmer
    May 29 2026
    Welcome back to The British Food History Podcast. Today I am talking with Deborah Albon and Amy Palmer about the history of children’s food. Deborah Albon is a former early years professional and Amy Palmer is a former infant teacher, and both are lecturers at the University of Roehampton, London. They have written a book called First Helpings: A History of Children’s Food. It’s comprehensive, well-researched and an entertaining read. I recommend it.We talk about the early years: the changing ideas about breastfeeding and wet nurses, the Victorian moralistic ideas surrounding withholding food, weaning the kids on wine and turtle doves, and children’s birthday parties, amongst many other things.Those listening to the secret podcast get 20 minutes of bonus material where we discuss in more depth Deborah and Amy’s approach to writing the book, breastmilk alternatives, including the changing advice with respect to formula milk, creepy feeding schedules plus more.First Helpings: A History of Children’s FoodFollow Deborah and Amy on Instagram @albonandpalmerDeborah & Amy’s websiteSeason 10 of the podcast is sponsored by Netherton Foundry, makers of high-quality kitchen and outdoor cookware. Netherton Foundry ships to several countries outside of the UK, including the USA and Canada. Visit www.netherton-foundry.co.uk to find out more about their wonderful products – approved not just by me but by folk such as Tom Parker-Bowles, Diana Henry and Nigella Lawson.The mixing and sound engineering are by Thomas Ntinas of The Delicious Legacy podcastIf you can, support the podcast and blogs by becoming a £3 monthly subscriber, and unlock lots of premium content, including bonus blog posts and recipes, access to the easter eggs and the secret podcast, or treat me to a one-off virtual pint or coffee: click here. Things mentioned in today’s episodeYork Festival of Ideas 2026 Previous pertinent podcast episodesRetro Foods with Briony May WilliamsThe School Meals Service with Heather EllisFood in Gothic Literature with Alessandra Pino Previous pertinent blog postsSago & Tapioca PuddingColostrum (Beestings)NegusNeil’s blogs and YouTube channel:‘British Food: a History’The British Food History Channel‘Neil Cooks Grigson’ Neil’s books:Before Mrs Beeton: Elizabeth Raffald, England’s Most Influential HousekeeperA Dark History of SugarKnead to Know: a History of BakingThe Philosophy of PuddingsDon’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/britishfoodhistoryThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp
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    42 mins
  • Eating Out in Georgian London with Peter Ross

    Eating Out in Georgian London with Peter Ross
    May 15 2026
    Welcome back to The British Food History Podcast. In this episode, I am speaking with Peter Ross. Peter was, until recently, the Principal Librarian at the City of London's Guildhall Library. He is an historian of both food and crime in Georgian London, an Arts Society lecturer, and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries.He has also written a fantastic book called Insatiable Appetites, Eating Out in Georgian London, published by the Bodleian Library. Published 14 May 2026. We talk about the migrating mealtimes of the Georgian period, chophouses, the importance of satirical cartoons when studying food history in this period, turtle soup, and why you wouldn’t want to be seen hanging around the saloop stand – amongst many other things.Those listening to the secret podcast get some top drawer bonus material where we discuss what Georgian chocolate was really like, and the beautiful and amazing Vauxhall gardens + more. Insatiable Appetites, Eating Out in Georgian London by Peter RossPeter will be at the Chalke History Festival on 27 June 2024 talking about Georgian FeastingSeason 10 of the podcast is sponsored by Netherton Foundry, makers of high-quality kitchen and outdoor cookware. Netherton Foundry ships to several countries outside of the UK, including the USA and Canada. Visit www.netherton-foundry.co.uk to find out more about their wonderful products – approved not just by me but by folk such as Tom Parker-Bowles, Diana Henry and Nigella Lawson.If you can, support the podcast and blogs by becoming a £3 monthly subscriber, and unlock lots of premium content, including bonus blog posts and recipes, access to the easter eggs and the secret podcast, or treat me to a one-off virtual pint or coffee: click here. Things mentioned in today’s episodeAccompanying blog post showing the Gilray cartoon + moreThe Guildhall LibraryPeter’s London street food exhibitionThe British Housewife by Gilly LehmannThe London Art of Cookery by John FarleyThe English Art of Cookery by Richard BriggsBefore Mrs Beeton: Elizabeth Raffald, England’s Most Influential Housekeeper by Neil Buttery Previous pertinent podcast episodes18th Century Tavern Cooking with Marc Meltonville (& Richard Briggs)London's Street Food Sellers with Charlie Taverner18th Century Dining with Ivan DayElizabeth Raffald with Alessandra Pino & Neil Buttery Previous pertinent blog postsMock Turtle SoupNeil’s blogs and YouTube channel:‘British Food: a History’ The British Food History Channel‘Neil Cooks Grigson’ Neil’s books:Before Mrs Beeton: Elizabeth Raffald, England’s Most Influential HousekeeperA Dark History of Sugar Knead to Know: a History of BakingThe Philosophy of PuddingsDon’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:A is for Apple Season C has begun!Join Neil Buttery, Sam Bilton and Alessandra Pino for their journey through the letter C on 'A is for Apple: An Encyclopaedia of Food & Drink'. Available wherever you get your podcasts.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp
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    46 mins
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All stars
Most relevant
Erudite without being heavy going. Not rambling or long winded. Packed with interesting information from unsung experts, interviewed with Neil’s light touch.

Fascinating and entertaining

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Entertaining and informative as always. Looking forward to the next series, can't wait to see what's cooking!

Entertaining and informative as always.

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Neil has a lovely friendly warm voice to listen to. Engaging topics every time, he certainly knows his stuffing! Wonderful!

Treacle sponge to black pudding, who could ask for more!

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