News
Here you’ll find updates on research projects and news of any upcoming events & publications.
Winter Interviews Round-Up – BBC Radio 4 and more
In recent weeks I’ve been on the World at One (BBC Radio 4), Good Morning Scotland (BBC Radio Scotland) BBC Radio 5Live, the World Service, ITV News and more.
Hot Cross Buns, Turnips and Jam
Why do hot cross buns have crosses on them? How did jam become the fuel of the Industrial Revolution? Have turnips always been unloved? Who invented haggis, and why is that the wrong question to ask?
Two more potato features
I’ve recently authored an article for Radio Nacional de Colombia, and also been interviewed for the History of Fresh Produce podcast, hosted by Patrick Kelly and John Paap.
Rare Insights from 18th-Century Love Letters
I spoke to Jenny Gross of the New York Times about a remarkable collection of letters discovered in Britain’s National Archives
Reflections on Britain’s historical relationship with food and cooking
I spoke to Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet about Britain’s relationship with food and cooking
Pulse Flours: A Not-so New Health Fad
Pulse-based pastas are enjoying a moment in the spotlight, but we’ve actually been pushing the health benefits of pulse flours for hundreds of years.
Cooking with Microwaves
I was recently interviewed by Serina Sandhu, senior reporter at The i, for a piece about cooking with microwaves.
Coronation Food
I opined about various food-related aspects of the coronation
Discussing cookbooks on the Warwick History Hour
A few weeks ago I was invited to speak on the inaugural episode of The Warwick History Hour
The ‘Leicester’ Casta Paintings
I spoke at a fascinating conference about the ‘Leicester’ Casta Paintings
More conversations about potatoes
Links to more interviews and talks about my research
New podcast interview: Hungry Books
Listen to an interview with Rocio Carvajal
SCAS Talks Podcast
I talked about the global history of potatoes with Natalie von der Lehr, from the Swedish Collegium of Advanced Studies, for an episode of the SCAS Talks podcast.
Vanilla: Anything but boring!
Watch an online talk about the surprising history of vanilla, delivered as part of the British Library’s Food Season.
Letter in today’s Guardian
It’s deeply dismaying that the inequalities in today’s Britain are in so many ways returning us to the early 19th century.
Garden Talk: What can the recipes of the past tell us about the society they came from?
Old cookery books can tell us a lot more than just how to cook a meal. What do they reveal about topics as diverse as access to technology and the concept of truth?
Watch online: Roundtable on food and the Hispanic world across time & space
On Thursday I will be participating in a roundtable discussion, hosted by the KJCC.
Platinum Puddings
New article published in The Conversation
Christmas Drinks
Earlier this month I discussed the history of mulled wine and other Christmas drinks for Resonate Festival. The talk is now free to watch on YouTube. Grab a glass and hear how these drinks have been part of Christmas celebrations over the centuries!
What’s the appeal of the full English breakfast?
Katharina Delling and I explored the appeal of the full English breakfast, for her German food history podcast. Listen below!
Interview with Daniela Gutierrez Flores for the New Books Network
I discussed Feeding the People with Daniela Gutierrez Flores for the New Books Network. You can listen to the interview online below, or via https://newbooksnetwork.com/feeding-the-people
Why Spanish colonial officials feared the power of clothing
Read a new article on clothing and colonialism, written for Psyche
Virtual Event: Resurrection Rolls and the Pleasures of Metaphorical Recipes
On Tuesday I will be giving a lecture on the subject of Resurrection Rolls and other metaphorical recipes
Online talk: Introducing Feeding The People
Watch an online talk about my latest book, Feeding the People: The Politics of the Potato
How The Potato Changed The World: interview for the Earth Ideas podcast
I was recently invited to speak about potatoes on the Earth Ideas podcast. Curated by environmental filmmaker Laura Mahler, Earth Ideas features long-form, unscripted interviews with academics, scientists & journalists about their areas of research. You can follow the...
This Spud’s for You
A recent interview for Gastropod, on the subject of potatoes, is available to listen to now.
Summer interviews and features: round-up
Links to some recent features and media appearances, in connection to the publication of Feeding the People
Fellowship of the British Academy
I am utterly delighted and surprised to learn that I have today been elected as a Fellow of the British Academy.
Research featured in the New York Times
My research was cited in an article by Michael Snyder, titled ‘What We Eat During a Plague’.
Feeding the People is out now!
My latest book, Feeding the People, has been published today by Cambridge University Press.
Discussing Potatoes on Dan Snow’s History Hit
My interview with Dan Snow, for the History Hit podcast, is available to listen to now.
Potatoes in a Pandemic
‘Baked potato saved my life’, sang Matt Lucas, in a fundraising video for the NHS that brought smiles to faces across the UK. The joyful silliness helps explain its appeal. Of course a baked potato can’t save anyone’s life. Or can it?
Review Of Feeding the People in today’s Telegraph
A kind review of Feeding the People was published in The Telegraph today.
Featured in Vice magazine
I shared my deep knowledge of the chip butty with Sam Hancock for Vice magazine.
Talking pineapples on the Today programme
Cambridge University hosted an entertaining two-day conference last week, 'Power, Promise, Politics: The Pineapple from Columbus to Del Monte'. The conference earned a mention on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, and I was very happy to be invited to speak about my...