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The British Food History Podcast

The British Food History Podcast

By: Neil Buttery
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Summary

 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
  • 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
  • British Fish & Seafood with CJ Jackson

    British Fish & Seafood with CJ Jackson
    May 6 2026
    Welcome back to the British Food History Podcast. In this episode of the podcast, I am speaking with fish and seafood cookery expert CJ Jackson, author of The Great British Seafood Revival, published by Merlin Unwin We talk about cod alternatives like coley and hake; the loss of the street fishmonger; sustainability; fish farms, and whether they are a good thing; the future of Billingsgate Market; and my old fear of bivalves, amongst many other things.Those listening to the secret podcast get to hear about the popularity of seaweed and disco scallops!Great British Seafood Revival by CJ JacksonCJ’s websiteFollow CJ on Instagram @cjkentseafoodSeason 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 episodeFollow Billingsgate Seafood School on Instagram @theseafoodschoolLeith’s Fish BibleThe Ration Book DietBillingsgate MarketPrevious pertinent podcast episodesC is for Cod, Cockles and Caviar Previous pertinent blog postsTo make KedgereeNeil’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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    39 mins
  • Special Episode in Memory of Joanna Crosby: Apples & Orchards

    Special Episode in Memory of Joanna Crosby: Apples & Orchards
    May 3 2026

    I received the sad news of the death Joanna Crosby when I was at the Leeds Symposium of Food History and Traditions in April.

    Joanna was a talented food historian specialising in the history of apples and orchards, and she came on the podcast in 2024 to talk about her research and excellent book Apples and Orchards since the Eighteenth Century.

    I thought I would put out the episode we recorded together, published in January 2024 as a special episode in her memory.



    This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

    Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp
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    40 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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