Formal entertaining is like cooking on steroids. It can be stressful enough planning an informal gathering, but we can thank the Edwardians for setting the bar pretty high for formal dining, when we work particularly hard to impress. We can see from the dining scenes on Downton … [Read more...] about Entertaining was Serious Business At Downton Abbey
Archives for March 2012
Titanic Mini-Series Serves up Disappointing 1st Course
I didn't sleep well last night. It must have been something I ate, more like something I watched. It appears that Canada is the first to view Titanic, perhaps in recognition of our involvement of rescue and recovery efforts. The first course of the four part Titanic mini-series … [Read more...] about Titanic Mini-Series Serves up Disappointing 1st Course
Tea Meetings and Truffles in Paradise
Another time for us to share tea and polite conversation. This typically leads to a discussion of the weather which has been most exceptional out here in our corner of the Commonwealth. One might also comment on the state on one's own garden and I am pleased to report that my … [Read more...] about Tea Meetings and Truffles in Paradise
30 Day Count Down to Titanic 100th Anniversary
April 14th marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. On Sunday, April 14, 1912 at 11:40 pm, Titanic struck a giant iceberg and by 2:20 am on April 15, the “unsinkable ship” was gone. Canadians have a special connection to Titanic: the great ship sank in the … [Read more...] about 30 Day Count Down to Titanic 100th Anniversary
Celebrating Irish Cuisine and the Science of Cooking with Alcohol
Downton Abbey's most notable Irish character is Tom Branson, the chauffeur, played by Allen Leech who tweets @allenleech. Brendan Coyle (who plays Mr. Bates) is half Irish, as is his character. Branson was introduced in S1 E4, which aired this week in South Africa on BBC, and … [Read more...] about Celebrating Irish Cuisine and the Science of Cooking with Alcohol