Food and Cooking on Early Television in Europe: Impact on Postwar Foodways

This collection explores the role of food programming on European early television and its impact on food habits and identities, examining eight European countries from Portugal to Czechoslovakia and Britain to France and Yugoslavia. It features archival images to illustrate the visual medium and complements other research into postwar food history.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 194 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive collection delves into the profound impact of food programming on European early television, shedding light on its potential influence on food habits and identities among European audiences. By examining a diverse range of food program genres, including travelogues, cooking shows, and TV cooking competitions, the study highlights the multifaceted ways in which television shaped culinary practices and cultural identities across eight European countries. Spanning from Portugal to Czechoslovakia, Britain to France, and Yugoslavia, the research explores the ways in which early food programs contributed to culinary change, showcasing both the distinct differences and shared similarities in how these programs shaped and promoted progress, modernity, gender, and national identities in both Eastern and Western Europe.

To enhance the understanding of this dynamic, the collection incorporates a wealth of archival images that vividly depict the visual landscape of early food programs. These images not only provide a visual context but also complement existing research in postwar food history, offering a unique perspective through the medium of visual representation. This collection is of interest to scholars and enthusiasts alike, including food and media historians, as well as those passionate about European postwar history and culture. By exploring the intersection of food, television, and cultural identity, this study offers valuable insights into the complex interplay between media, society, and the shaping of culinary practices and identities in postwar Europe.

Weight: 312g
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032184371