An Evening of Food History with Ivan Day
Join us for an unforgettable evening to explore, learn about and even taste the history of food at Alnwick Castle.
The evening begins at 6pm, with exclusive out-of-hours access to Alnwick Castle’s Great Kitchen. Recently opened to visitors for the first time in its history, you will see the spaces in which kitchen staff prepared grand banquets and feasts made to feed thousands.
At 7pm, join us for a brand-new lecture by internationally renowned food historian Ivan Day, 'Catering for a King and Queen'.
Following the lecture and demonstrations, we invite you to try a range of delicious bitesize samples inspired by our historic menus and Ivan's lecture, specially prepared by our head chef Matt Carroll.
We invite you to relax, and experience the flavours once tasted by dukes, duchesses and royalty.
Tickets: £45
- Date: 25 September
- Time: 6:00pm
Ticket Info
Your ticket includes out-of-hours access to the Great Kitchen, the talk by Ivan Day, and a taster selection of food inspired by our historic menus, served following the end of the talk.
Entry to Alnwick Castle will be via the Iron Railings on Castle Square (NE66 1NG).
Gates to the Castle will open at 6pm. The talk by Ivan Day will begin in the Guest Hall at approximately 7pm and will last approximately one hour.
Please notify us of any allergies, intolerances or dietary requirements ahead of attending this event by emailing info@alnwickcastle.com.
About Ivan Day
Ivan Day is a renowned scholar, broadcaster, writer, cook and confectioner. Considered “Britain’s foremost reconstructionist cook”, he is noted particularly for his re-creations of historic meals and table settings.
His work has been exhibited across the UK, Europe and North America, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Museum of London, and the Bowes Museum. Examples of his work can currently be seen in the Gardiner Museum in Toronto.
Lecture synopsis
Over the centuries Alnwick has hosted many glorious entertainments. For one event in 1892, the Castle Kitchen provided meals for 9,242 guests, while in 1906 King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra stayed at the castle, and enjoyed an extraordinary meal featuring some of most fashionable and luxurious dishes of the Edwardian period. Ivan will discuss these magnificent entertainments, guiding us through the Kitchen and its staff. He will also demonstrate some spectacular dessert dishes from the Kitchen's heyday, including moulded ices and jellies.