In this bonus episode I take a look at how some of our best loved authors portray food in their books; why some fiction genres enjoy an enduring popularity and introduce you to the alter ego of a famous food writer. Joining me on this literary romp are some familiar Comfortably Hungry voices (Caroline Crampton, Orlando Murrin and Dr Alessandra Pino) and some new guests (Pen Vogler and Dr Kevin Geddes).

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Useful Links

* Allie is offering Comfortably Hungry listener’s a discount on her Fresh from the Crypt T-shirts - https://www.freshfromthecrypt.com/ discount code is: COMFORTABLYSPOOKY10

* The Politics of Pudding: The Past, Present and Future of Yorkshire Food by Pen Vogler at the Ryedale Folk Museum on 12 July 2025 at 2pm

* ‘40% of Britons haven’t read a single book in the last 12 months’ Dylan Difford, YouGov March 05, 2025

* Shedunnit podcast

* Murder in the Kitchen with Caroline Crampton and Orlando Murrin (CHS3 Episode 13)

* Death by chocolate with Dr Alessandra Pino and Sue Lawrence (CHS2 Episode 3 )

Reading List

* Orlando’s thrilling Paul Delamare Mysteries Knife Skills for Beginners and Murder Below Deck are available now.

* Caroline’s books include A Body Made of Glass: A History of Hypochondria (now available in paperback) and The Way to the Sea: The Forgotten Histories of the Thames Estuary

* The Many Careers of Fanny Cradock by Kevin Geddes

* The Sherlock Holmes Cookbook by Mrs Hudson (Compiled by Fanny Cradock)

* Dinner with Mr Darcy by Pen Vogler

* Tea with Jane Austen by Pen Vogler

* Scoff by Pen Vogler

* Stuffed by Pen Vogler

* Martha Lloyd's Household Book: The Original Manuscript from Jane Austen's Kitchen by Deirdre le Faye

* A Gothic Cookbook by Ella Buchan and Dr Alessandra Pino

Don’t forget you can follow me on Instagram or Bluesky @mrssbilton or find out more about my work on sambilton.com.

A huge thank you to Thomas Ntinas of The Delicious Legacy for doing the sound mixing on this season of the podcast.

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