A Derbyshire Christmas Double-Bill. Victorian Chesterfield was the location for an extraordinary battle of the monster Christmas cakes. Discover the background to this bizarre contest with all the hallmarks of a Dickensian melodrama. This fad faded, but another Derbyshire business grew from humble beginnings to become the biggest Christmas pudding manufacturer in the world. That story forms the second part of this festive talk.
Views: 108 | Enquiries: 0I've been researching, writing and giving talks about the history of food and drink for the last 20 years. I gained a PhD from Nottingham University in 2007 for my study of food and drink in a gentry household in the 16th century. Since then I've conducted extensive research into traditional food and drink in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire and done some studies of individual foods - sheep's milk cheese, oatcakes and Henderson's Relish. I'm secretary of the Leeds Symposium on Food History and Traditions.
I'm used to giving talks to a wide variety of audiences - both national and local history societies and more general groups such as U3A, Probus and WI. Everything I talk about is thoroughly researched, but the aim is to entertain rather than just to lecture.
All talks are 45 minutes to 1 hour and illustrated by Powerpoint slides. I'm also happy to deliver all talks either in person or over Zoom.
I charge £50 that includes travelling expenses if within 25 miles of my home in North Derbyshire. I am prepared to travel further afield but may need to charge a little more to cover travel costs.
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