Episodes

  • The Concierge

    The Concierge
    Jan 10 2025
    In which Muriel tells Suzanne the story of French concierges – the guardians of French buildings – involving systematic and distinctive urban planning begun in the 1830s, the proliferation of concierge imagery and mythology throughout literature, satirical cartons and vaudeville, and the real-life hardships faced by concierges in the past and in contemporary France.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • Marmalade

    Marmalade
    Jan 3 2025
    James Bond spread it on his breakfast toast; Paddington and Queen Elizabeth II kept marmalade sandwiches ‘for emergencies’; Scott of the Antarctic took some to the South Pole. Suzanne peels away layers of the history of marmalade as it evolved from dark quince paste to translucent bitter orange jelly and grew into a ubiquitous British export throughout the world, with Dundee as its capital city. And Muriel reveals her own surprising marmalade journey of enlightenment.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Galette Des Rois

    Galette Des Rois
    Dec 27 2024
    Where does the almond-filled ‘galette des rois’ come from? And why have the French clung so tenaciously to it through the centuries? Muriel unveils a seasonal French cake with ancient roots reaching back to Antiquity and many connections to royalty and power. And – not a moment too soon – Suzanne becomes Queen.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • The Christmas Pudding Sandwich

    The Christmas Pudding Sandwich
    Dec 26 2024
    Suzanne dives into a 1920s compendium of sandwiches by Mary Woodman, retraces sandwich history and ponders the art of Successful Sandwich Making.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    13 mins
  • Flaming Boar’s Head Feast

    Flaming Boar’s Head Feast
    Dec 25 2024
    Suzanne digs up an almost entirely forgotten British Christmas medieval tradition full of pomp and circumstance, including a special carol!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    13 mins
  • The Discreet Charm of Presents on Christmas Eve

    The Discreet Charm of Presents on Christmas Eve
    Dec 24 2024

    Muriel tells Suzanne about France’s uncanny parallel universe, where Christmas happens the day before Christmas. But are the French missing out on the art of waiting?



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    14 mins
  • Crackers

    Crackers
    Dec 23 2024
    Suzanne dissects the gloriously noisy tradition of the British Christmas cracker. There is a Victorian inventor, also some French bonbons, a diamond ring and plenty of explosions.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    12 mins
  • Oysters

    Oysters
    Dec 22 2024
    How did oysters (les huîtres) become enshrined in France as a traditional Christmas food? Muriel investigates.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    13 mins