Why does British food have such a bad 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’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