At Christmas We Feast

At Christmas We Feast 

A talk by Dr Annie Gray

To many people, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a turkey and trimmings, pudding and brandy butter – and a feeling by the end of the day that movement is impossible. But where do our notions of traditional fare come from, and when modern writers reinvent the Christmas meal, are they really doing anything so very different? In this festive talk, based on her book of the same name. Food historian Annie Gray will talk us through 500 years of eating at Christmas. She’ll guide us through our changing food traditions from medieval masques to more recent innovations, explaining why we eat what we do (and why we might want to think again). Through peacock and plum porridge, and roast beef and rich fruit cake, we’ll hear about forgotten foods and fantastic recipes. Expect takeaway tips, inspiring dishes, and a talk to get you truly in the spirit of the season.

Annie Gray is one of Britain’s leading food historians. You may have heard her busting myths on BBC Radio 4’s The Kitchen Cabinet, or seen her stuff a boar’s head for a Tudor Christmas feast on BBC2. She’s the author of several well-received books, including The Greedy Queen: eating with Victoria; Victory in the Kitchen: the life of Churchill’s Cook; and cookbooks including official tie-ins with Downton Abbey Cookbook and Call the Midwife.

Ely Museum will be selling signed copies of At Christmas We Feast: Festive Food through the Ages for those of you who wish to indulge further. 

28th November at 7pm at Ely Museum 

Tickets:

£11.50 including refreshments

Or

£21.49 including refreshments and paperback book