Guildhall Library Mrs Beeton

GUILDHALL

Guildhall Library presents a programme of events and exhibitions illustrating the delightful and diverse history The Library of London History of English Cooking

LIBRARY

JANUARY-AUGUST

MRS BEETON AND HER CONTEMPORARIES

From The Book of Household Management

Guildhall Library Aldermanbury, London EC2V 7HH 020 7332 1868 / 020 7332 1870 guildhall.library@cityoflondon.gov.uk www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/guildhalllibrary Follow

FOOD AND THE CITY 30 March – 7 August.

FREE

The City of London has been a focal point for the acquisition, sale and consumption of food and Guildhall Library itself holds a remarkable collection on food and wine. In this exhibition artist-inresidence Simon Gregor presents photographs of some of the less commonly seen documents from the library’s collection, as well as images which depict our relationship with food in the City today.

EXHIBITIONS

CELEBRITY COOKS: MRS BEETON AND HER CONTEMPORARIES

ACCOMPANYING TALK Thursday 21 May, 2-3pm.

FREE

21 January-17 April FREE

Simon Gregor, a freelance photographer, has been exploring the Library’s collection on food and drink, and photographing sites associated with these themes in the City of London today. Surprised by the sheer range of activities related to the production, distribution and sale of food and drink in the City, Simon will share some of the remarkable stories and discoveries he came across, as well as some photographs which are not included in his exhibition.

150 years after her death, Mrs Beeton is still one of the most important figures in food history. But where did she fit into the world of 19th-century celebrity cooks? From her beginnings in the City to the publication of The Book of Household Management, this exhibition examines her impact then and now.

© Simon Gregor Photography

Exhibition Late View Tuesday 17 February, 6-8pm £5 plus booking fee.

Includes a drinks and canapé reception.

From Anglo-Saxon feasts and Plantagenet banquets to the rationing of WWII and the Great British Bake off, recipes have recorded the extraordinary history of a unique and ever changing diet. So, come along and discover the cookbook history of one of the world’s greatest cuisines – yes, we do mean English cooking!

Includes an exclusive late view of the exhibition.

Thursday 12 March, 6-8pm £5 plus booking fee. Includes a wine reception

Alexis Soyer was the first chef of the Reform Club, and for years its chief attraction. He saw himself as an artist, outside class. But for William Thackeray, a club member, his social pretensions were richly comic. Join Ruth Brandon to hear how Soyer’s career, both at the Reform Club and after he left it, improbably illuminates the Victorian class system.

© Guildhall Library, City of London

EVENTS

A HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH COOKBOOK FROM BEOWULF TO MARY BERRY

SOYER AND THACKERAY – A TALE OF FOOD AND CLASS

© Guildhall Library, City of London

MRS ISABELLA BEETON – VICTORIAN DOMESTIC GODDESS? GUILDHALL CHRONICLES Wednesday 25 March, 2-3pm From 14 to 22 March English Tourism Week is an annual festival that showcases the best of what the UK has to offer – all for free – and, this year, it takes on the delicious theme of food and drink.

This is your opportunity to see, hear, and sample something very different

The City loves food and drink, and we’ve gathered together a great collection of speakers to show you the breadth and depth of that love. Taking place in Guildhall Library, situated in the City’s heart, topics will range from the Dr Johnson’s legendary love of all things tea, to the weird and wonderful world of quirky cooking from the middle ages to World War II – including Viper Soup, Badger Ham, Stewed Sparrows and more!

For details of all English Tourism Week events in the City see www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/englishtourismweek

Free

Tina Baxter looks at the short, eventful life of Mrs Beeton, the author and compiler of the 24 monthly instalments which became The Book of Household Management.

Despite being accused of plagiarism and not being a cook, Mrs Beeton offered a new way of working with ingredients which was simpler to follow and emphasised thrift and economy.

Details from ‘The Pantropheon or History of Food’ by A. Soyer

THE LOST WORLD A TASTE SPRING OF THE GEORGIAN OF Tuesday 14 April, 6-8pm CHOCOLATE HOUSE £5 plus booking fee, booking essential.

Tuesday 7 April, 6-8pm £5 plus booking fee. Includes free servings of Monsieur St Disdier’s Baroque hot chocolate.

Join London historian Dr Matthew Green for an illustrated talk exploring some of the great chocolate houses of Georgian London. Discover how a bitter, luxuriant and exotically spiced glop called chocolate conquered Baroque Europe and came to corrupt the most exclusive address in London, St James’s, spawning seditious hotbeds of decadence, depravity and despair that Londoners came to love and fear as chocolate houses.

Includes wine reception

Ever wondered where the recipe for gingerbread came from? Would you like to sample dishes served to Kings and Queens, and find out how recipes have changed since the 15th century?

To celebrate Isabella Beeton, we are tracing many sweet dishes through the ages. Come along to taste these confections made from original recipes in an edible exhibition hosted

by Marjory Szurko, Librarian of Oriel College, Oxford.

© Guildhall Library, City of London

GUILDHALL

Guildhall Library presents a programme of events and exhibitions illustrating the delightful and diverse history The Library of London History of English Cooking

LIBRARY

TREET

LONDON WALL

Please note exhibitions are inaccessible during afternoon talks.

WATLIN G

STREE

T

R LA

IRONMONGE

KING STREET

ANE BOW L

The library is closed on bank holidays.

OLD JEW

K ST MIL

IDE

POULTR Y N

QUEE

RIA VICTO

ST

CHEAPS

St Paul’s

RY

LIBRARY HAM STREET

GRES

GATE

GUILDHALL

AN ST

ALDE

LA

COLEM

RMA NBU

T BASING HALL S

RY

BASINGHALL AVE

LOVE

CE’S

Guildhall Library opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.30am-5pm Wednesday 9.30am-7.30pm Alternate Saturdays 9.30am-5pm Please check our website for more details

WOOD S

Guildhall Library will be stocking a range of Mrs Beeton merchandise – please visit the shop in the library.

Moorgate

MOOR

EXHIBITION MERCHANDISE

PRIN

JANUARY-AUGUST

MRS BEETON AND HER CONTEMPORARIES

ST

BANK

Bank

Mansion House

ALL EVENTS REQUIRE BOOKING AND TAKE PLACE AT GUILDHALL LIBRARY. PLEASE BOOK THROUGH EVENTBRITE: WWW.GHLEVENTS.EVENTBRITE.CO.UK IF YOU HAVE ANY QUERIES REGARDING BOOKING PLEASE CONTACT: GHLEVENTS@CITYOFLONDON.GOV.UK OR 020 7332 1869/1871 Guildhall Library Aldermanbury, London EC2V 7HH 020 7332 1868 / 020 7332 1870 guildhall.library@cityoflondon.gov.uk www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/guildhalllibrary

Follow