The Politics of Pancakes
In England, Shrove Tuesday has not just symbolised feasting, fasting and family, but riot and rebellion, too.
Food & Drink
The Culinary Enlightenment
The belief that you are what you eat emerged in 19th-century France, where the pleasures of the table were sautéed with philosophy and medicine.
A History of Haggis
The origins of haggis are as mysterious as the Loch Ness Monster.
Enchiladas, a Culinary Monument to Colonialism
While finding its origins in royal Aztec feasts, the everyday Tex-Mex enchilada is more a product of colonialism and prejudice than authentic heritage.
A Short History of Sushi
The Japanese dish of humble origins that conquered the world.
Goulash
Though long established as the national dish of Hungary, its origins lie with the rootless, itinerant stockmen who roamed the plains of medieval Mitteleuropa.
You Are Where You Eat
Restaurants went mainstream in the 19th century, but the boom in places to dine out brought unexpected perils – menu anxiety, excessive table talk and ‘strange ladies’ among them.
Falafel
The staple dish of the Middle East is as contested as the region, with different peoples claiming it as their own.
Panettone, Italy’s Favourite Christmas Cake
Rich enough to appeal to lords and dukes, the success of panettone is down to its festive, egalitarian simplicity.
Kedgeree
The long, often troubled relationship between Britain and India has led to some extraordinary cross-cultural innovations in cuisine.