This a revised and updated edition of an award-winning book, recognised as THE authoritative work on the subject of British food. It is a breath-taking attempt to trace the changes to and influences on food in Britain from the Black Death, through the Enclosures, the Reformation, the Industrial Revolution, the rise of Capitalism to the present day.

There has been a recent wave of interest in food culture and history and Colin Spencer’s masterful, readable account of our culinary history is a celebrated contribution to the genre. There has never been such an exciting, broad-scoped history of the food of these islands. It should remind us all of our rich past and the gastronomic importance of British cuisine.

Colin Spencer is one of the country’s leading food historians but his prolific output has not been limited to this field alone. He has written nine novels, a dozen cookery books, as well as writing for television and film. For thirteen years he was food columnist for The Guardian.

Reviews

‘…pretty much essential…’
Jonathan Meades, The Independent on Sunday

‘…hugely impressive…it is like Spencer himself, a national treasure.’
Richard Ehrlich, The Guardian Weekend

‘…a seminal work…’
Restaurant

‘…a stimulating work…a joyous, lively mine of information.’
Times Literary Supplement