Latest news with #foodhistory
Washington Post
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Fried green tomatoes and pimento cheese: Southern stars align on a bun
Foods, like people, can have surprising pasts. Sketch out family trees for fried green tomatoes and pimento cheese, for instance, and you'll see roots that snake outside the South. As writer Robert Moss explained in two fascinating historical explorations for Serious Eats, the former has ancestors from all over the country but perhaps most from the Midwest, while the latter's ties are Northeastern, through and through.
BBC News
28-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Fish and chips for 20p? The Powys chip shop menu frozen in time
For more than half a century, a chip shop's forgotten price board gathered dust in a household when it was unearthed by Andrew Lewis, the third-generation owner of the family-run restaurant, he described it as being like "something from another age".And with a portion of cod and "chipped potatoes" listed for a mere 20p - compared to today's average of nearly £10 - certainly the prices were from a different Evans Plaice, one of Wales' oldest family-run fish and chip shops, has put the board on display to serve as a reminder of days gone by. "I was clearing out a garage where my grandfather kept a lot of stuff and I found it lying there," said Mr Lewis."People are fascinated by it. It's like something from another age and it's great that it has survived."But plenty of people have been asking if they can have their chips for the old price." The chip shop, in Rhayader, Powys, was first opened as Halten Restaurant in 1950 by Mr Lewis' grandparents, Edgar and Megan passed to his uncle and auntie before Mr Lewis, eager to keep the business in the family, took it over in menu board is believed to date back to about 1971 when the British currency system was decimalised to the current system in place the likes of peach melba to follow a fish supper, served with a slice of bread and butter and washed down with a cup of tea, diners back then could enjoy a two-course meal for 45p. "Anyone driving between north and south Wales will have passed us and it's a popular stopping point because everyone is usually hungry by the time they get to Rhayader... or needs the toilet," said Mr Lewis."We own a couple of businesses but the fish and chip shop is a real sentimental place for me because it's part of the town's past and my family's history. All the kids have spent some time working in there, either chipping, frying or serving."The old menu serves as a reminder of the staggering rise in food prices not only over the decades, but in recent and chips saw the biggest price increase among some of the UK's most popular takeaways in the five years up to July 2024, according to ONS average price for a portion of fish and chips rose by more than 50% to nearly £10, while the cost of a kebab went up 44% and pizza 30%. Earlier this year, one chip shop made headlines when it apologised to customers for putting up the price of a large cod to £ owners have cited a "perfect storm" of costs, including soaring energy bills, tariffs on seafood imports and extreme weather hammering potato Lewis said: "It's amazing to think it was just 20p for fish and chips. What can you buy for 20p these days? Perhaps the bag they come in!"Costs have steadily gone up but especially in the last few years because of the Ukraine war. Then there's staffing costs as well as the environmental impact so there are many things that are simply out of our control. "We've had to put prices up two or three times in recent years which we hate doing [fish and chips now cost £10.70]. But what can you do?" 'Firm place in people's hearts' A family of four may not get much change from £50 once they have added mushy peas or curry sauce, but fish and chips remains a British family favourite, whether enjoyed around the table on a Friday night or out of the paper on a beach."We have diversified over the years with other items but fish and chips still has that firm place in people's hearts," said Mr Lewis, whose chip shop is marking its 75th anniversary."The price has gone up a lot, especially when you look at that board, but so has everything else and fish and chips is still as popular as ever, 100 per cent."And I love working in there. You're frying right there in front of people and chatting to all the customers. It's great."Running a business is difficult these days and has been for years but you have to try and keep going, especially because the shop means so much to us."
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why can't Stilton make Stilton?
The famous blue cheese it gave its name to is known throughout the world, but despite years of local protests, the Cambridgeshire village of Stilton is still not allowed to produce it. The history of Stilton is more controversial you might think. A battle over what the name can and can't be applied to has been rumbling for years. So, as a former MP raises the subject again, what's in a name and what could the future hold for this fought-over foodstuff? It was thought that the famous cheese was named after the village of Stilton, just south of Peterborough, not because it was made there, but because it was sold at The Bell Inn there. However, some historians have claimed the cheese did, in fact, originate in the village in the 18th Century. In 2011, Stilton resident and local historian Richard Landy claimed to have documents that could potentially prove the cheese was first produced there. Mr Landy told the BBC at the time: "I stumbled across a reference to a recipe on the internet that had been sent to Richard Bradley, the first professor of botany at Cambridge University. "This recipe was not only earlier than any previous recipe that had been published, but it also says that the cheese was produced in the village of Stilton." The conversation continues to this day, with residents and a former MP calling for a change in the law to allow the cheese to be made in the village. A row about the origins of Stilton and who can make it has been rumbling for years. The Stilton Cheesemakers' Association achieved Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status for blue Stilton from the European Commission in 1996. This meant that only cheese produced in three counties - Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire - could be called Stilton. Despite Brexit, the legal protection continues. Stilton is one of just a few products that enjoy this status. Many English regional cheeses, such as Lancashire, Red Leicester and Double Gloucester, are not protected. While Stilton continues to have special protection, it is not the only British food or drink product to enjoy this. Scotch Whisky, for example, can only be produced, unsurprisingly, in Scotland, and even within that there are tightly controlled regions. For instance, Campbeltown whiskies can only come from a specific part of the Kintyre peninsula, while Islay whiskies must be from the island of the same name. And although you can find a pastry-encrusted snack of meat, potato and vegetables almost anywhere these days, a true Cornish Pasty must originate from Cornwall. The same applies to another famous meat and pastry product. If your pork pie is not from the Leicestershire town, it cannot be called a Melton Mowbray. Similarly, if your oyster does not come from Pembrokeshire, then it does not qualify as a Pembrokeshire Rock Oyster. The annual cheese-rolling event in the Cambridgeshire village dates back to the 1950s. The tradition was started by four publicans who were thinking of ways to generate income after Stilton was bypassed by the A1 in 1959, Adam Leon, one of its organisers previously told the BBC. The event was paused for seven years because organisers said it was no longer seen as "cool", but it returned in 2024. You would be forgiven for thinking a cheese-rolling festival would involve the dairy product itself. However, 12in (30cm) sections of an old telegraph pole are painted to look like a cheese. To participate, all teams must consist of four members, and the "cheeses" must be rolled by hand. Each team member has to roll the cheese at least once during the race, which takes place on on a course of about 30m (100ft) in length. Typically, people have taken part wearing fancy dress, and in the past teams of nuns, Smurfs and even a tribute to rock band Kiss have participated. Former Conservative MP for North West Cambridgeshire, Shailesh Vara, is one of the people who have been voicing their opinions on the cheese's origins. Mr Vara, who lost his seat to Labour's Sam Carling in July 2024, said: "Stilton cheese was historically made in the village, and I know there has been a bit of dispute about that. "But the historical evidence that I have seen in the case that the cheese was made here." He added that Mr Leon, described by Mr Vara as a "local entrepreneur", had started "making efforts to make sure that we start making cheese locally again". He said: "I am in conversation with Adam and the villagers have my support, and whatever conversations they want to have with me, I am always available." According to Mr Vara, now the UK has left the European Union there is less protection on where Stilton can be produced. "That protection is no more, so we can now start making cheese. I am looking for it to be made again," he added. The UK Protected Food Names Association, however, maintains that English law protects Stilton, and that any change would undermine the cheese-making industry. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Village hosts historical cheese rolling festival Cheese rolling returns to Stilton after seven years Cheese rolling cancelled as 'no longer cool' Stilton Cheese
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why can't Stilton make Stilton?
The famous blue cheese it gave its name to is known throughout the world, but despite years of local protests, the Cambridgeshire village of Stilton is still not allowed to produce it. The history of Stilton is more controversial you might think. A battle over what the name can and can't be applied to has been rumbling for years. So, as a former MP raises the subject again, what's in a name and what could the future hold for this fought-over foodstuff? It was thought that the famous cheese was named after the village of Stilton, just south of Peterborough, not because it was made there, but because it was sold at The Bell Inn there. However, some historians have claimed the cheese did, in fact, originate in the village in the 18th Century. In 2011, Stilton resident and local historian Richard Landy claimed to have documents that could potentially prove the cheese was first produced there. Mr Landy told the BBC at the time: "I stumbled across a reference to a recipe on the internet that had been sent to Richard Bradley, the first professor of botany at Cambridge University. "This recipe was not only earlier than any previous recipe that had been published, but it also says that the cheese was produced in the village of Stilton." The conversation continues to this day, with residents and a former MP calling for a change in the law to allow the cheese to be made in the village. A row about the origins of Stilton and who can make it has been rumbling for years. The Stilton Cheesemakers' Association achieved Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status for blue Stilton from the European Commission in 1996. This meant that only cheese produced in three counties - Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire - could be called Stilton. Despite Brexit, the legal protection continues. Stilton is one of just a few products that enjoy this status. Many English regional cheeses, such as Lancashire, Red Leicester and Double Gloucester, are not protected. While Stilton continues to have special protection, it is not the only British food or drink product to enjoy this. Scotch Whisky, for example, can only be produced, unsurprisingly, in Scotland, and even within that there are tightly controlled regions. For instance, Campbeltown whiskies can only come from a specific part of the Kintyre peninsula, while Islay whiskies must be from the island of the same name. And although you can find a pastry-encrusted snack of meat, potato and vegetables almost anywhere these days, a true Cornish Pasty must originate from Cornwall. The same applies to another famous meat and pastry product. If your pork pie is not from the Leicestershire town, it cannot be called a Melton Mowbray. Similarly, if your oyster does not come from Pembrokeshire, then it does not qualify as a Pembrokeshire Rock Oyster. The annual cheese-rolling event in the Cambridgeshire village dates back to the 1950s. The tradition was started by four publicans who were thinking of ways to generate income after Stilton was bypassed by the A1 in 1959, Adam Leon, one of its organisers previously told the BBC. The event was paused for seven years because organisers said it was no longer seen as "cool", but it returned in 2024. You would be forgiven for thinking a cheese-rolling festival would involve the dairy product itself. However, 12in (30cm) sections of an old telegraph pole are painted to look like a cheese. To participate, all teams must consist of four members, and the "cheeses" must be rolled by hand. Each team member has to roll the cheese at least once during the race, which takes place on on a course of about 30m (100ft) in length. Typically, people have taken part wearing fancy dress, and in the past teams of nuns, Smurfs and even a tribute to rock band Kiss have participated. Former Conservative MP for North West Cambridgeshire, Shailesh Vara, is one of the people who have been voicing their opinions on the cheese's origins. Mr Vara, who lost his seat to Labour's Sam Carling in July 2024, said: "Stilton cheese was historically made in the village, and I know there has been a bit of dispute about that. "But the historical evidence that I have seen in the case that the cheese was made here." He added that Mr Leon, described by Mr Vara as a "local entrepreneur", had started "making efforts to make sure that we start making cheese locally again". He said: "I am in conversation with Adam and the villagers have my support, and whatever conversations they want to have with me, I am always available." According to Mr Vara, now the UK has left the European Union there is less protection on where Stilton can be produced. "That protection is no more, so we can now start making cheese. I am looking for it to be made again," he added. The UK Protected Food Names Association, however, maintains that English law protects Stilton, and that any change would undermine the cheese-making industry. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Village hosts historical cheese rolling festival Cheese rolling returns to Stilton after seven years Cheese rolling cancelled as 'no longer cool' Stilton Cheese
BBC News
01-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Why can't Stilton make Stilton cheese?
The famous blue cheese it gave its name to is known throughout the world, but despite years of local protests, the Cambridgeshire village of Stilton is still not allowed to produce history of Stilton is more controversial you might think. A battle over what the name can and can't be applied to has been rumbling for as a former MP raises the subject again, what's in a name and what could the future hold for this fought-over foodstuff? How did Stilton cheese get its name? It was thought that the famous cheese was named after the village of Stilton, just south of Peterborough, not because it was made there, but because it was sold at The Bell Inn some historians have claimed the cheese did, in fact, originate in the village in the 18th 2011, Stilton resident and local historian Richard Landy claimed to have documents that could potentially prove the cheese was first produced Landy told the BBC at the time: "I stumbled across a reference to a recipe on the internet that had been sent to Richard Bradley, the first professor of botany at Cambridge University."This recipe was not only earlier than any previous recipe that had been published, but it also says that the cheese was produced in the village of Stilton."The conversation continues to this day, with residents and a former MP calling for a change in the law to allow the cheese to be made in the village. What rules prevent it from being made in Stilton? A row about the origins of Stilton and who can make it has been rumbling for Stilton Cheesemakers' Association achieved Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status for blue Stilton from the European Commission in meant that only cheese produced in three counties - Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire - could be called Brexit, the legal protection continues. Stilton is one of just a few products that enjoy this status. Many English regional cheeses, such as Lancashire, Red Leicester and Double Gloucester, are not protected. What other foods have protected status? While Stilton continues to have special protection, it is not the only British food or drink product to enjoy Whisky, for example, can only be produced, unsurprisingly, in Scotland, and even within that there are tightly controlled regions. For instance, Campbeltown whiskies can only come from a specific part of the Kintyre peninsula, while Islay whiskies must be from the island of the same name. And although you can find a pastry-encrusted snack of meat, potato and vegetables almost anywhere these days, a true Cornish Pasty must originate from same applies to another famous meat and pastry product. If your pork pie is not from the Leicestershire town, it cannot be called a Melton Mowbray. Similarly, if your oyster does not come from Pembrokeshire, then it does not qualify as a Pembrokeshire Rock Oyster. What is the Stilton Cheese Rolling Festival? The annual cheese-rolling event in the Cambridgeshire village dates back to the tradition was started by four publicans who were thinking of ways to generate income after Stilton was bypassed by the A1 in 1959, Adam Leon, one of its organisers previously told the BBC. The event was paused for seven years because organisers said it was no longer seen as "cool", but it returned in 2024. You would be forgiven for thinking a cheese-rolling festival would involve the dairy product 12in (30cm) sections of an old telegraph pole are painted to look like a participate, all teams must consist of four members, and the "cheeses" must be rolled by team member has to roll the cheese at least once during the race, which takes place on on a course of about 30m (100ft) in length. Typically, people have taken part wearing fancy dress, and in the past teams of nuns, Smurfs and even a tribute to rock band Kiss have participated. Could Stilton ever make Stilton once again? Former Conservative MP for North West Cambridgeshire, Shailesh Vara, is one of the people who have been voicing their opinions on the cheese's Vara, who lost his seat to Labour's Sam Carling in July 2024, said: "Stilton cheese was historically made in the village, and I know there has been a bit of dispute about that."But the historical evidence that I have seen in the case that the cheese was made here."He added that Mr Leon, described by Mr Vara as a "local entrepreneur", had started "making efforts to make sure that we start making cheese locally again". He said: "I am in conversation with Adam and the villagers have my support, and whatever conversations they want to have with me, I am always available." According to Mr Vara, now the UK has left the European Union there is less protection on where Stilton can be produced. "That protection is no more, so we can now start making cheese. I am looking for it to be made again," he UK Protected Food Names Association, however, maintains that English law protects Stilton, and that any change would undermine the cheese-making industry. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
