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Why does British food have such a bad reputation?

Alice Loxton and Ben Henderson explore how French fashions, industrialisation and wartime rationing have tarnished Britain鈥檚 culinary reputation.

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鈥檚 culinary reputation. They explore how British aristocrats turned towards French food from the 1600s, while Britain鈥檚 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 91福利社 Sounds and on Here For The History鈥檚 YouTube channel.

Key Sources:
English Food: A People鈥檚 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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35 minutes

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