Why does British food have such a bad reputation?
Here For The History

Why does British food have such a bad reputation?

Jun 18, 2026
34:43
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About this episode

Is British cooking a crime against food? Or is this a foreign plot to do down Britain? Ben Henderson and Alice Loxton investigate the history behind Britain’s culinary reputation. They explore how British aristocrats turned towards French food from the 1600s, while Britain’s peasant cuisine was crushed by the industrial revolution and land enclosures. Finally, they examine the enduring legacy of World War Two rationing. Subscribe to the podcast on BBC Sounds and on Here For The History’s YouTube channel. Key Sources: English Food: A People’s History - Diane Purkiss Much Ado About Cooking - Sam Bilton Cooking & Dining in the Victorian Country House - Peter Brears Beef and Liberty - Ben Rogers The English Table: Our Food Through the Ages - Jill Norman

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Episode Details

Author
BBC Sounds
Show Type
full
Audio Format
audio/mpeg

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