In the latest of our Coronavirus specials, we explore some themes relating to diet. We look at the supposed resurgence of the National Loaf during this crisis and debunk Coronavirus fad diets by examining some bad dietary advice of the past.

Dr. Scoff and the Prof: Food, History and Mirth

Diets (Special Coronavirus Episode)

Episode two of our emergency Coronavirus broadcasts. At ScoffProf Towers we are committed to getting you through this crisis by churning out episodes with the alacrity of a butter manufacturer. This time we are discussing food rationing measures and which foodstuffs are doing well from the upsurge in demand.

Rationing (Special Coronavirus Episode)

The global Coronavirus Crisis has brought with it many unforeseen consequences. And one of them is the return of the world's favourite food studies / food history podcast. From the ScoffProf survivalist bunker deep beneath the earth we bring you this emergency broadcast to make sure our listenership is getting through the struggle.

Stockpiling (Special Coronavirus Episode)

Chop, chop! Your favourite food history/food studies podcast is back! In this special episode featuring the legendary Simpson’s chop house of London, we explore the history of the chophouse: an English culinary institution. Hear all about an 18th-century dining phenomenon that may be making a quiet comeback and talk to some of the staff of Simpson’s, the City of London’s most historic and famous chophouse, a place steeped in history and beloved of city traders to this day. Apologies for the sound quality on this one - I have been suitably flogged.

Chophouses

Absinthe: It Makes The Heart Grow Fonder. It also makes you drunk, as various intellectuals and artists will attest. Everyone's heard of its bad reputation, but we get beneath the Belle Époque glamour and scandalising of the famous green ripple, unleashing the Green Fairy of truth and historical accuracy upon the much-maligned alcoholic drink. Along the way, we hear from an absinthe bar proprietor and proponent and an art detective. Salut!

Absinthe

Feeding History: Farming has changed the course of history, from civilisational growth in the ancient ‘Fertile Crescent’ to intensive GM agribusiness today. In this episode we discuss the British Museum’s exhibition ‘Feeding History: the Politics of Food’ and how global trade has impacted consumption.

Feeding History

Easter: a time of blessed renewal and new life. And gluttonous chocolate eating. This episode of the food studies / food history podcast takes a light hearted look at the different culinary traditions attached to this time of the year. In this especially sweet edition Ruby - the newest addition to the chocolate family - is sampled, and there's a bittersweet musical exploration of the links between Nazism and famous food brands.

Easter

Gin! From the bacchanal of Hogarth's 18th-century depictions of gin drinking to its current revival, this tipple has an interesting story. We discuss its popular association with the Protestantism of King William III and its various incarnations today. All while sipping a delicious gin martini.

In this episode we examine the topic of food and conspiracy. Conspiracy theories around food abound, many centring on the role of multinational companies. Some hold weight and others have more holes than a Swiss cheese. There's a revolutionary Cuban twist to proceedings as we look at coups, poisonings and plots around food. Featuring banana sundae.

Food Conspiracy

US Presidential Foods Donald Trump's preferred diet of fast food and Diet Coke has, like every other aspect of the current US President's life, been heavily scrutinised. But what of the favourite foods of the American Commanders in Chief of the past? In the latest edition of the food studies podcast, our intrepid gastronauts examine Presidential diets of yesteryear. Featuring contributions from expert scholars and even a couple of the office holders themselves.

Presidential Food

Christmas Podding This special festive edition of the food studies podcast sees our favourite gastronauts discuss Christmas food traditions and the newest seasonal food fads. Warm yourself over advocaat and buttered rum and bask in the glow of the fairy lights as Christmas cuisine is given the Dr Scoff and the Prof treatment.

Christmas Podding

Fast food has been blamed for a health crisis in the developed world, but what are the origins of so-called convenience food? Podcast gastronauts Dr Scoff and the Prof discuss the history and significance of fast food and sample the pin-up foodstuff of this type of cuisine: the burger.

Fast Food

Food Riots Join Dr Scoff and the Prof for a chat about violent protest around food. From 18th-century bread riots to price-based agitation today, the food riot is a fascinating phenomenon. Also - as Marie Antoinette would have wished - the dynamic duo of the food podcast world are finally let to eat cake

Food Riots

Hyphenated Foods Join your two favourite academic gastronauts for an exploration of dishes with a hyphen! From Tex-Mex to Chinese-Peruvian, the emergence of hyphenated food is a symptom of globalisation, migration and cultural exchange. This episode features Katrina Kokolari, a scholar of Polish-American cuisine. Following Katrina's recommendation, the Prof prepares a gastronomic vision in pink. Follow us on @DrScoffProf

Hyphenated Foods

There are some exciting things happening around Food History in the United States right now. To find out about some of these, the team chat to Dr Ashley Rose Young, a food history guru who works with a team of curators and historians as part of the American Food History Project at the National Museum of American History (part of the Smithsonian). Plus Dr Scoff cooks up a delightful twist on Chef Ed Lee’s Korean donuts. A few points to clarify just in case: Ashley is not the head of the American Food History Project. That would be curator Paula Johnson. Ashley has written a dissertation on New Orleans cuisine and is currently working on the book manuscript project. So, the book isn’t finished yet. Hoedduck recipe: https://americanhistory.si.edu/sites/default/files/file-uploader/CUH%20June%206%202018%20Hoedduck.pdf Check out 'Buttermilk Graffiti': https://chefedwardlee.com/books-tv/buttermilk-graffiti/ 'Cooking up History' website: http://americanhistory.si.edu/topics/food/pages/cooking-history#Friday,%20June%208:%20Exploring%20the%20South Link to Smithsonian Food History Weekend website: http://americanhistory.si.edu/events/food-history-weekend Link to Ashley's website: http://ashleyroseyoung.com/

Smithsonian - Food at the National Museum of American History

The premier Food studies/food history podcast where an Associate Professor of History and a Dr of Marketing have a chat and cook/prepare food from the past. Your one-stop-shop for discussion of food policy, food history, cookery and mirth Have a listen and let us know what you think: Twitter - @drscoffprof @drbryceevans Email - drscoffandtheprof@gmail.com