1900s
The Robshaw family travel back in time to the turn of the 20th century, to discover how the food we ate and the way we ate it helped shape the modern family.
The Robshaw family are experienced time travellers, but this time they are going further back than they have ever been before - to the turn of the 20th century, to discover how the food we ate and the way we ate it helped shape the modern family. An ordinary house in south London is their time machine, transporting them through five decades and two world wars. Guided by presenters Giles Coren and social historian Polly Russell, they trace the incredible changes to Britain's diet and the extraordinary social transformation they reveal.
As they enter the 1900s, they discover an unrecognisable world of strict etiquette, corsets and conformity. But the biggest surprise is a new addition to the household. Debbie Raw - a part-time chef in the 21st century - is going back in time to be the family's maid of all work, responsible for all the cooking and cleaning. At the perfectly laid dining table, the Robshaws discover a decade of excess, ending up feeling as stuffed as the decor of their 1900s house. Their first meal is a mere five courses with a meaty pudding - but that is a simple amuse bouche to what follows. Servant Debbie must produce an eight-course dinner party in a Victorian kitchen with not so much as a hand blender to help her, the Robshaw ladies struggle with the formality of hosting formal afternoon tea and the family try out the Edwardian answer to a fondue set - brains and scrambled eggs, anyone?
Along the way there is haute cuisine with Monica Galetti, a meaty Olympic breakfast and a music hall tea and singalong with surprise guests Chas and Dave.
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Clips
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Breakfast of Champions
Duration: 02:02
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Mock Turtle Soup
Duration: 00:53
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Welcome to the 1900s
Duration: 01:00
Music Played
Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes
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00:16
Gustav Holst
The Planets: III. Mercury, The Winged Messenger
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00:54
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, K525, IV Rondo: Allegro
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Presenter | Giles Coren |
Presenter | Polly Russell |
Participant | Monica Galetti |
Participant | Chas & Dave |
Executive Producer | Emily Shields |
Executive Producer | Emma Hindley |
Series Producer | Nancy Bornat |
Producer | Tim Hancock |
Director | Tim Hancock |
Editor | Hannah Briere-Edney |
Production Company | Wall to Wall Media |