On Saturday 1 November 2025, Blackfriars will host, in partnership with Durham University’s IMEMS (*), the 27th Public lecture on ‘Recipes and Representation in Cookery from the Middle Ages to the Early Modern Period’ presented by Thomas Gloning.
The basic function of cookery recipes is to describe how to prepare a specific dish which is also true for old recipes from the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period. In most cases the main purpose of preparing food is for the sake of nourishment. However, there are, of course, several others, e.g. pleasure and health as well as the representation and demonstration of power, wealth and civility etc. We will primarily look at recipes (and other sources) from Europe from the Middle Ages up to the 16th or 17th century.
WHERE: Blackfriars Banquet Hall
TIMES: 11am arrival for 11.30am start
COST: £39.50 per person including arrival tea or coffee and a suitably themed 3-course set lunch served communally. Places are only confirmed once paid in full and are non-refundable or transferable.
(*) IMEMS has a long-standing relationship with Blackfriars Restaurant.
DIETARY REQUIREMENTS: Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements, conditions we should know about or any other specific requests.
TICKETS & VOUCHERS: please note although we don’t send out physical tickets, you will receive a confirmation from our on-line booking system (note: this will state a table has been booked).
