Spalding residents interested in food, history and Georgian life can hear how London taverns shaped 18th-century cooking when the Spalding Gentlemen’s Society launches its latest lecture programme.
The opening talk, The Tavern Cook – 18th-century cooking and dining through the recipes of Richard Briggs, will be held at Broad Street Methodist Church in Spalding. The event is listed for Friday, September 26, with doors opening at 7pm and the lecture beginning at 7.30pm.
What the lecture will explore
The talk will focus on Richard Briggs, who published a cookery book in 1788 after working as a cook at the Globe Tavern on Fleet Street in London.
His book ran to more than 700 pages and recorded recipes from a cook whose work was carried out in the comparatively restricted surroundings of a tavern kitchen, rather than in a palace, castle or stately home.
The lecture will examine research into Briggs himself, his cooking and the taverns of London. It will be delivered by Marc Meltonville FSA, a food and drink historian who researches and lectures on a wide range of subjects in the UK and internationally.
Meltonville spent more than 25 years as food historian for Historic Royal Palaces. During that time, he worked on the Tudor kitchens at Hampton Court and the Georgian kitchens at Kew Palace, as well as other projects at royal residences.
Tickets and venue information
Tickets will be available on the door at Broad Street Methodist Church, Spalding, PE11 1TB. Admission costs £5 per person, while full-time students can attend free of charge.
The society said its educational lecture programme had remained popular over many years and was intended to welcome both experienced heritage enthusiasts and people simply curious to learn something new.
“The town’s well-established programme of educational lectures has proved popular for many years now. “Spalding Gentlemen’s Society aims to make the sharing of knowledge accessible for everyone – whether you’re a lifelong heritage enthusiast or are simply curious to learn something new.”
Further information is available by emailing [email protected] or visiting the Spalding Gentlemen’s Society website at www.sgsoc.org.
Note: The supplied listing describes the event as taking place on Friday, September 26. The weekday and date should be checked with the organiser before publication or attendance.