So What's The S.P. Then?

So the October event is virtually upon us and I'm only just getting round to updating the blog!!
Why the delay....forgetting a huge pile of stuff I was supposed to sort for Carter is one reason, having to suggest plans for Christmas with only a 2 day window is another....side project #2 is the third, but more of that later (not in this post, but definitely before I leave for the Palace tomorrow)

So they're the excuses....although posts to the forum have been made and that's taken up a fair amount of time this last couple of weeks....especially with the errors of the last couple of days, but fingers crossed those are now behind us (famous last words eh!). So far the forum is ticking along, doing what I'd hoped it would and more in the case of the things it allows the team access to...sorry, all hush hush stuff.....well some devastatingly witty banter and a team notice board anyway. Obviously it would be nice for a few more people to join up, but it's early days yet so plenty of time and room for more....equally it would be nice if you do sign up for you to pop a post in the introductions area saying hello so that we can get to know you....we don't bite, well most don't.

So with cookery just a day away, what's the plan for the weekend. Recipe wise, the idea is to cook the same dishes as last month, only this time perhaps we might actually cook more than we managed last time...the two invalids are not quite up to full strength, but we're certainly capable of getting the job done...unlike last month!
Why the same recipes? It's kind of complicated, yet also kind of simple too. There are many questions that need answering about how food was cooked within the kitchens at Hampton Court and within Henry VIII's Court in general and that's essentially what I'm working on research wise and have been for a year or so now...it's what compromises most of the things I can't/won't tell you all about....well not until the work is done and published, so you will all get to hear, just not yet I'm afraid. Part of that work  uses the cookery weekends to test ideas and theories directly or indirectly connected with this research as well as cooking recipes to show people. This weekend is all about the difference between cooking with a purpose built stove and cooking within a hearth as would have to be the case if there were no stoves to use.

There has been a suggestion in the past that this is how all of the non roasted foods were cooked in the kitchens during Henry's reign, this weekend is to show that although possible it isn't practical, especially when we are thinking of the numbers involved...that's not to say it wasn't done, just that it was unlikely. Now it's perfectly possible that this thinking from us, that it's impractical, is wrong, but without trying we'll never know...it's the one great advantage we have....having the actual cooking space to work in.
So over the weekend I'm expecting a lot of griping and moaning about 'what fool had the stupid idea of doing this' because there will be a lot more bending and lifting that usual....as well as a lot more washing up to remove the soot from the outside of the pots....I'd apologise to the guys now, but they wouldn't believe I was sorry, after all I've been looking forward to this for quite a while now.

It will involve a massive re-jig of how we arrange the kitchen, and a lot of pictures, so in theory if you can't actually get to come along and see what is probably going to be the only time we ever do this, at least you'll get to see the pictures....fingers crossed I may even be able to post some images of questionable quality up via Twitter as we go on the Saturday, which is when I shall be in modern clothes recording the work, then it's all swap round with Robert for him to do the same on Sunday, whilst I get to experience the discomfort that I think I'm going to be putting the guys through.

That's pretty much it really, I've still a load to do before I can leave tomorrow...including the last touches to the other side project, so I'm off to get that finished and will update you all before the end of tomorrow.

TTFN