Food in England

by Dorothy Hartley
Food in England cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Cookbooks / Food Writing
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Hardback • £30.00
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Technical
  • ID: 132
  • Added: 2025-09-02
  • Updated: 2025-09-10
  • ISBN: 9780349401775
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2014-07-03
  • Formats: 34
  • Reviews: 3

FOOD IN ENGLAND became an instant classic when it was first published in 1954, and its eclectic mix of recipes, anecdotes, household hints, spells and history has had a deep influence on countless English cooks and food writers since. With wit and wisdom, Dorothy Hartley explores the infinite variety of English cooking, as well as many aspects of English life and culture. From the rules of conduct for a medieval banquet to the way to make perfect mashed potatoes, from how to dress a crab to the ultimate recipe for strawberries and cream, FOOD IN ENGLAND will delight all admirers - and consumers - of modern British cookery. An irresistible tour through centuries of culinary history, illuminated with Hartley's own lively illustrations, FOOD IN ENGLAND is a unique glimpse into England's past.

Reviews
AbeBooks · 2025-09-02
comprehensive 4.20

This guide combines recipes, anecdotes, household hints, spells, and history, presenting a multifaceted view of English food and cooking that reflects its rich traditions.

The book is valued not only as a cookbook but also as a cultural and historical compendium, blending practical cooking with folklore and historical perspectives. It offers a unique experience by mixing these elements, which appeals to readers seeking a deep and varied understanding of English culinary heritage beyond mere recipes.

Quick quotes

    This guide to many aspects of English food and cooking combines recipes, anecdotes, household hints, spells and history.

    First published in 1954, it remains a comprehensive resource.

    It offers a multifaceted view of English food traditions.

Goodreads · 2025-09-02
insightful 4.30

Dorothy Hartley’s work is celebrated for its wit and wisdom in exploring English cooking and culture, mixing practical cooking advice with cultural insights and historical anecdotes.

Readers appreciate the book for its rich blend of cooking instructions, cultural commentary, and historical context, which together provide an immersive look into English life through food. Hartley's engaging style and the book's comprehensive coverage of English culinary traditions make it a beloved resource for those interested in food history and traditional cooking alike.

Quick quotes

    With wit and wisdom, Dorothy Hartley explores the infinite variety of English cooking.

    The book covers many aspects of English life and culture.

    From the rules of ... [ellipsis indicating broad cultural insights]

Wikipedia · 2025-09-02
classic 4.50

The book is a unique blend of cookery and history, offering practical recipes alongside an oral social history of English cuisine that draws on the last generation with Tudor-era traditions.

This book stands out for its idiosyncratic and combative approach to English cooking history, delivered without conventional scholarly citations but based on Dorothy Hartley's own extensive travels and interviews. While some readers may view it primarily as a history, it is largely composed of practical, sometimes old-fashioned recipes that remain accessible and useful today. The book was immediately acclaimed when published and has since become a classic, praised for its readability and rich anecdotal content that captures English culinary traditions in a vivid and engaging way.

Quick quotes

    It was acclaimed on publication; the contemporary critic Harold Nicolson described the book as a classic.

    The book provides what has been called an idiosyncratic and a combative take on the history of English cooking.

    Some of these such as stargazey pie are old-fashioned, but all are practical recipes that can be cooked.

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