Food History Treasures of the Guildhall Library with Peter Ross

Food History Treasures of the Guildhall Library with Peter Ross

From The British Food History Podcast by Neil Buttery

June 7, 2026 · 42 min · Season 10 · Episode 8

About this episode

Neil Buttery interviews Peter Ross about the Guildhall Library's food history collections and his book on Georgian dining.

Today I am talking with returning guest Peter Ross who was, until recently, the Principal Librarian at the City of London's Guildhall Library. His fantastic book called Insatiable Appetites, Eating Out in Georgian London , published by the Bodleian Library was published last month, May 2026. Today we are talking about the collections in the Guildhall Library, which is a staggering 600 years old. We mention quite a few books and collections, but there are links in the shownotes, and there will be images on the accompanying blog post, so do check that out too. We talk about the history of the library and how it got some of its collections such as the Elizabeth David collection, but also some of the lesser known ones such as the Robert Miller collection, the splendiferous feast put on for James I by the Merchant Tailors, the importance of the author’s voice when it comes to writing popular cookery books, Hannah Glasse’s sauerkraut, and Elizabeth David’s Fanny Cradock avoidance techniques, amongst many other things. Those listening to the secret podcast get some bonus material where we discuss the Hannah Glasse recipes that don’t work, the Worshipful Company of Brewers, poisonous…

People in this episode

Host: Neil Buttery

Guest: Peter Ross

Topics covered

  • food history
  • Georgian London
  • library collections
  • cookery books
  • cultural history

Keywords

  • Guildhall Library
  • Georgian feasting
  • cookery books
  • Hannah Glasse
  • Elizabeth David

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Bodleian Library, Chalke History Festival, Worshipful Company of Brewers

Books & works: Insatiable Appetites, Eating Out in Georgian London

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