Eat Feed
Some years ago I was contacted by a bright-eyed (or at least so I imagined since we’ve never met in person) graduate student, Anne Bramley, who was balancing a PhD dissertation on Shakespeare with a then-incredibly innovative podcast series on food, history and culture called Eat Feed. She had the good sense to bring on board Sandy Oliver who knows more about the history of American food than most of us have ever forgotten. And the pod cast just took off.
And I loved it because Anne is a fan of the food of the British Isles. While I have become accustomed to just putting on a Mona Lisa smile when well-meaning American friends sympathize about how horribly gastronomically-deprived my young life must have been, I welcome with open arms anyone who can even consider that it might have been otherwise.
Well, Anne is now Dr Anne Bramley. She has a baby. And she has a book. How about that for sheer energy? She told me when she sent me a copy that I had encouraged her by saying “Three cheers. Not just another paen to the Mediterranean.” I have no memory whatsoever of the conversation.
But Eat Feed Autumn Winter is an exuberant celebration of the possibilities of winter entertaining. It’s full of quotes from Shakespeare, suggestions for parties, lists of apples or beers that make it clear that Americans are the beneficiaries of an incredible global system, fantastic photos, and very nice recipes. If this is what she offered to fellow graduate students, just wait till she hits full stride.
It has given a jump start to my rather hesitant party self. It’s too late for Guy Fawkes and here in Mexico there is no first snowfall–any snowfall is cause for amazement and celebration. But yes, afternoon tea. She’s reminded me of clotted cream and the delights of gossip around the tea table.
Onward and upward, Anne!
Sounds great, I will look forawrd to reading it.
On the otherhand as an expat you have to put up with patronising condescension when it comes to the topic of “British Food”. In Australia, as a returned Australian, the attitude is slightly different, what I get is people trying to use me to comfirm their view that British food is universally terrrible.
They have a terrible time when I say that it is difficult to compare the food of Australia v the UK as while the former is a mediocrity, in the UK the general state of food was often terrible or excellent, with little middle ground. Even more difficult for them to hear is that many foodstuffs in the UK surpass the local version in quality many times over.
Rachel – We just had our annual tea (girls, Bonnie & I) out at the Green Tree Tea room (Menu: http://www.greentreetearoom.com/december08.html) Lovely!
I know they close for a while around Xmas, but may be reopened by the time you’re here in January. I’d love an excute for 2 teas in 2 months – let me know if you’re interested?
The book looks extremely attractive! I’ll definitely seek it out.
You’re bolder than me, Adam. I just let it pass. These comments usually come up in social situations I find and they fall in the category of rooted prejudice not topic of conversation. Hence the Mona Lisa smile.
Heather, I’m definitely on for this.
I’m occasionally opionated.
Never, Adam!