Food and Love in the Regency Era: Culinary Culture and Romantic Traditions
with Dr Alessandra PinoRegistration ends February 11, 2025!
Class Description
Explore the intertwining worlds of food and love during the Regency Era (1811-1820), a period marked by elegance, romance, and social refinement. This course explores the culinary traditions, dining rituals, and courtship customs that shaped romantic relationships. From the art of feasting and banqueting to the delicate dance of courtship, we will uncover how food and love were connected in Regency society. Perfect for history enthusiasts, aspiring writers, and anyone captivated by Regency-era romance, this course will offer both historical insights and practical guidance for crafting authentic and engaging Regency-inspired narratives.
By the end of this course, participants will:
- Understand the role of food and dining in Regency-era society and romantic relationships.
- Explore how courtship, love, and marriage were influenced by shared meals and culinary rituals.
- Learn about the historical context of Regency-era food production, consumption, and the social significance of dining.
Lessons Include:
1: Introduction to Regency Society and the Era of Romance
• Overview of the Regency period: politics, society, and culture.
• Social hierarchies and their influence on romantic relationships.
• The connection between food, class, and courtship.
2: The Language of Love and the Role of Food
• How food and drink were symbols of love and status.
• Examining the importance of banquets, dinners, and teas in romantic pursuits.
• The significance of shared meals in courtship and marriage proposals.
3: Regency Recipes and Culinary Traditions
• Introduction to Regency-era recipes and cooking techniques.
• Exploring food items like oysters, strawberries, and other aphrodisiacs of the period.
• Preparing a Regency-inspired romantic meal (a practical, interactive class).
4: Feasting and Banqueting as Social and Romantic Rituals
• The role of grand banquets in matchmaking and courtship.
• Dining etiquette and its implications for romantic interactions.
• The art of hosting romantic dinners and creating intimate settings.
5: Courtship, Love Letters, and Sweet Treats
• The role of love letters in Regency romance and their connection to gift-giving (e.g., sweets and confections).
• Creating love letters inspired by Regency traditions.
• The symbolism of desserts and confectionery in romantic exchanges.
6: The Marriage Feast: Weddings, Food, and Love
• Examining Regency wedding traditions, focusing on food and festivity.
• Analysing the role of food in marriage celebrations and receptions.
• Comparing historical wedding feasts with modern-day equivalents.
About the Instructor
Dr Alessandra Pino is an expert on intersections of the Gothic, food, and cultural memory.
Alessandra was born in Hampstead, London, to an Italian mother and Venezuelan father, and she grew up in several different countries.
She holds a BA in English Literature from Naples ‘L’Orientale’. Dr Pino received her MA in Translation Studies and a PhD in Food, Cultural Memory and the Gothic from the University of Westminster. She worked with a Michelin-starred chef for nearly ten years before entering the world of academia.
Dr Pino is co-author of A Gothic Cookbook, which digs into food themes and motifs in a series of classic and contemporary novels from the 19th century to the present day. She is also the co-host of Fear Feasts a podcast which analyses the horror genre through the lens of food and the A is for Apple Podcast, an encyclopedia of food and drink. She is a lecturer at RomancingtheGothic.com. In 2024, Dr Pino was inducted into The Guild of Food Writers in the UK.
Her website: www.alessandrapino.com
Class Delivery
Class Format
4-WEEK COURSE
Written Lectures: Yes
Video Lectures: Yes
Pictures: Yes
Audio Files: Yes
Writing Exercises: Yes (optional)
Class Fees
$40 for RFW members
$55 for non-members
Registration ends February 11, 2025!
Scholarships are available for members