History’s Greatest Dishes

Latest episode

10 May 2026 · 29 min

Gooseberry Fool

Featuring just a handful of ingredients, gooseberry fool is among the simplest of all desserts – but also one of the most beloved. But what makes a fool a fool? Why does it owe its existence in equal measure to medieval kitchen gardens and the Victorian fad for enormous gooseberries? And why have its tart ingredients recently fallen from favour? In this episode of History’s Greatest Dishes, Emily Briffett and food historian Annie Gray chart the story behind this simple classic. They explore how the fruit-and-cream dish earned its place on the modern dining table – and, along the way, delve…

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Earlier episodes 5 most recent

1. 

   S1 · E4 · 3 May 2026 · 32 min

   Balti

   From its roots in Birmingham’s south Asian communities in the 1970s to its meteoric rise to become one of Britain’s most popular curries, Balti marks a fusion between historical tradition and innovation. In this episode of History’s Greatest Dishes, Emily Briffett and food historian Annie Gray journey back to the earliest days of south Asian cuisine in Britain to chart the origins of this vibrant, fragrant dish. Together they explore how migration, creativity and restaurant culture helped reshape Britain’s relationship with curry, and consider how Balti reflects both the blending and…

2. 

   S1 · E3 · 26 Apr 2026 · 44 min

   Victoria Sponge

   Light as air, this neat sandwich of cake, jam and cream is often seen as emblematic of British baking – but its story is richer and more complex than its simple ingredients might suggest. In this episode of History's Greatest Dishes, Emily Briffett and food historian Annie Gray explore how an unassuming cake became a national icon. They chart its rise amid the 19th-century boom in baking technology and its later association with afternoon tea and the Women's Institute – and discuss how its ingredients reveal a darker side to the food industry. You can listen ad-free to this episode and more…

3. 

   S1 · E2 · 19 Apr 2026 · 38 min

   Pizza

   Think pizza has always been the ultimate crowd-pleaser? Think again. Before it became a global fast-food favourite, pizza was a humble Italian street food with a far more complicated backstory. In this episode of History’s Greatest Dishes, Emily Briffett and food historian Annie Gray explore the rich (and occasionally controversial) history of pizza. From its simple origins on the bustling streets of Naples to its transformation into an international icon, they trace how migration and innovation turned a regional speciality into a worldwide obsession that has been endlessly reinvented –…

4. 

   S1 · E1 · 12 Apr 2026 · 33 min

   Blancmange

   Welcome to History's Greatest Dishes – the series from HistoryExtra in which food historian Annie Gray chats with Emily Briffett about the origins of some of the most unusual, innovative and enduring delicacies. First on the menu is blancmange. For some people, the word conjures moments of horror from the school cafeteria. Yet, as Annie and Emily discuss in this episode, the original medieval recipe for a meat-and-milk dish enjoyed by the well-to-do is, if anything, even stranger to modern sensibilities. So what sparked its transformation from an elite treat to a mass-produced dessert? And…

5. 

   S1 · 23 Feb 2026 · 1 min

   Introducing History’s Greatest Dishes!

   Ever wondered who we have to thank for pineapple on pizza? Or whether the Victoria Sponge was really named after the long-reigning monarch? History's Greatest Dishes, the new series from HistoryExtra, serves up a feast of facts about some of the past's most remarkable delicacies. Expect culinary legends, half-baked myths and deliciously odd tales – all in the company of Emily Briffett and food historian Annie Gray. It's sure to leave you with food for thought. Listen to new episodes on this feed weekly from 13th April, or get them early and ad-free by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here:…

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