The Friends of Gainsborough Old Hall’s first ‘Tuesday Talk’ is on Tuesday 1st October, 7.30pm at the Old Hall, when Jannet of ‘Forgotten Fare’ will present ‘The Medieval Kitchen’. The talk is open to all and will cost £4.00, including light refreshments.
Jannet will introduce attendees to the medieval kitchen, its staffing, and its functions, drawing upon the surviving kitchen at the Old Hall. Peter Brears describes this kitchen as ‘state of the art’ for its time.
Attendees will gain an understanding of terms such as ‘coffin’ in the pastry department, learn what a peel is and how useful it can be, and discover the role of the turnspit. Was the kitchen entirely a male environment? All will be revealed along with recipes on the night.
Artist Lynda Martin painted this image a few years ago. It is part of a private collection, and both the artist and the owner have agreed to it being made into a Christmas card for the Friends, with all proceeds going to support projects at the Old Hall.
The card is available from the Old Hall for £3.00 each.