I visited the Wellcome museum the second last time I was in the UK. Very nice exhibitions. I saw the exhibition on Mental Health. I hope to stay longer in London next time I visit.
In terms of cakes, I always seek hot British cakes and baked goods I haven’t tried before, especially those not found in Canada. I remember having a slice of Victoria sponge at a tea room called Shirley Valentine’s in Cornwall, must be 11 years ago now.
I should have a checklist!
I have tried about 3/4 of the desserts/sweets/puddings on this list
I haven’t had Spotted Dick yet
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Harters
(John Hartley - a culinary patriot eating & cooking in Northwest England)
176
Good list. I think there’s only the lardy cake which I havent tried (although there are handful of others that I’d be in no rush to try again).
Mrs H is the baker of the couple. She took it up as a hobby when she retired. One of her tasks is now to bake birthday cakes for the immediate family. She has no need to ask what I’d like - she knows that will always be a classic Victoria sponge.
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Harters
(John Hartley - a culinary patriot eating & cooking in Northwest England)
177
You have to try it. It’s a classic for a reason.
The “Dick” is a dialect word for pudding, rather than anything to do with male dangly bits. Not as funny, but maybe more interesting.
I made my first Victoria Sponge for Victoria Day weekend last year. I will make it again Strawberry shortcake is more popular on this side of the pond.
Must echo @retrospek: that linked article was a delight. Many thanks from me, as well!
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Harters
(John Hartley - a culinary patriot eating & cooking in Northwest England)
185
Thanks for a fun read. Isnt it great to read of someone unused to this level/type of dining to enjoy it. I bet you’d read Tripadvisor reviews of the place and there’s be moans about tiny portions and high prices.
We’re not great fans of tasting menus any longer. Too much of a faff - and we prefer to choose our own food, usually of two or three courses. Although at Michlein star level you’re often stuck with a Tasting. My only experience of a starred place in Birmingham was at Purnell’s in 2014. Mrs H and I went for our “office Christmas party”:
We appreciate the heads-up. It’ll likely be a short interval before we can see it in the States. Sam Neill’s early appearance drew us in; thus, we learned of Churchill’s service as Minister of Munitions.
Harters
(John Hartley - a culinary patriot eating & cooking in Northwest England)
193
Food and food culture evolve over time (as does society more generally). I bet a hundred years ago, there were people bemoaning the fact that no-one eats the XX of their youth any more…
That said, regard the article as the bit of fun that was clearly intended. And perhaps take some of the “facts” with a proverbial pinch of salt. I offer you one example. The article claims that two thirds of zoomers have never eaten jellied eels which obviously indicates that one third have. Now, when you think that jellied eels have never been a national dish and have always been confined to the London area, the basis for the “survey” becomes entirely questionable. In that context, as someone who has lived their entire life, of 71 tears, in northwest England, I have never eaten jellied eels, have never seen them for sale in this region, do not know anyone who has ever mentioned eating them. It has always been a niche dish, even in London.
Are we seeing a generational change in British society. Well, yes, I think we are. The American Santa Claus is fast replacing our own Father Christmas. Bonfire Night (on 5 November) has greatly declined in popularity as it’s been subsumed by the American style Halloween. My guess is that within another generation, both of these centuries old traditions will be gone foreever.
Strawberry shortcake is more popular on this side of the pond.
touché
