"He's like Gordon Ramsay on downers with a PhD in History..."

A Rococo dessert from Day's website HistoricFood.com

That's how my husband described British food historian/chef Ivan Day when we watched the BBC special "Having A Ball" in which the Netherfield Ball from Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" was recreated at the Chawton Library (Austen fans will know what I'm talking about; if you aren't an Austen aficionado, you're already out of the loop, so stop reading now!). Day was brought in as a food consultant for the goodies consumed/imbibed at such early 19th century dances. There were dance historians, social historians and dress historians to refer to, but perhaps with the exception of the dancing, the reproduction of the food - using the same kind of cooking equipment that a cook from, say, 1798 would have been using - was really what I found most fascinating.

My hubby was actually paying Day a compliment, by the way!

Now, lo and behold I just stumbled onto Day's food history blog. I've added it to my "I have to check this daily" list.

There is a plethora of photos and lots of expert explanation from Day. Even if you simply have a general interest in cooking or 18th/19th century social customs, you should take a look at it. Historic food is a side interest that I'm beginning to delve into a bit more,  now that I'll soon be having a much larger kitchen than the one I currently own. Yup, we're moving next week! We'll set up shop in a new house across town and we're really looking forward to it. Photos and the like shall follow later in the month!

For now, feast your eyes on Mr. Day's creations. Just make sure you eat first. The rule of restraining from grocery shopping on an empty stomach should also apply to his website. ;-)