Stuffed (A History of Good Food and Hard Times in Britain): with Pen Vogler

Charles Dickens: A Brain on Fire! 🔥

Dominic is joined by the award-winning author and food historian Pen Vogler who offers insightful reflections on how Charles Dickens used food as complex metaphors in his novels, that reflect the psychological and societal shifts during the Victorian era. The richly detailed food descriptions in works like A Christmas Carol and Little Dorrit reflect not just the era's celebrated dining etiquettes but sometimes Dickens' own discomfort in these settings.
From Pen's new book Stuffed there's also a hearty discussion on the role of food in society, particularly concerning feeding children, an issue highlighted more than ever during the pandemic. With a nod to the inspiring campaign by footballer Marcus Rashford, Pen finds parallels in Dickens' advocacy for children's rights and a nation's duty to nourish its future generations. We take a bite into history with the contentious debates in Parliament over this responsibility and the impact of land Enclosures on the food system.
Get ready also to rediscover the culinary history of forgotten ingredients like caraway seeds and dried broad beans. Pen also promises a future Christmas episode. So sit back, savour the flavour of history, and let's dig in!

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Host: Dominic Gerrard
Series Artwork: Léna Gibert
Original Music: Dominic Gerrard
Thank you for listening!

Chapters

1. The Connection Between Dickens and Food (00:00:01)

2. Feeding Hungry Children and Land Enclosures (00:13:19)

3. Victorian Food and Recipes (00:22:31)

4. Rediscovering Broad Beans (00:29:20)