Why don’t we still eat oysters with a sense of occasion – and of style to match?
Feasting in medieval Europe was often a celebration of plenty, but it could just as easily be linked to damnation
The personal archive of Colonel Sanders went to auction this week – and bidders had their eyes on the fries
‘Tablescaping’ is nothing new – just look at these dazzling centrepieces made by 18th- and 19th-century goldsmiths
An 18th-century gathering was nothing without a table full of roast hare, yellowhammer pies and truffle-stuffed turkeys
The famous spiced anchovy paste, now tragically discontinued, was a condiment that provided a feast for the eyes and the tastebuds
The Romanian sculptor expressed his creativity and identity through food just as much as art
Alexis Soyer was in his time the most celebrated chef in London – and paintings by his wife, Emma, are ripe for rediscovery
Pomegranates are popular with Instagrammers, but cultures around the world have long prized the fruit for its symbolism and aesthetic appeal
Baroque still lifes can be a source of serenity if the abundance of Christmas gets too much
At London’s venerable members’ clubs, the art on the walls can be as big of a draw as what’s for lunch
The humble tuber, rich in its own history, has long been a source of inspiration for painters depicting the peasant classes
The emergence of Le Creuset cookware a century ago sparked a change in how home kitchens both looked and functioned
In voluptuous paintings of cakes and other foods, the American artist captured both pleasure and a sense of surfeit
The Virgin Queen was not known for her cookery skills, so why was she often painted holding a sieve?
In setting out to celebrate local produce, New Nordic Cuisine has influenced eating around the world
The Psycho director may have hated them, but for those who aren’t as easily shell-shocked, eggs can crack open a whole new world
Picasso was the possessor of a hearty appetite and depictions of alcohol and excess are also central to his work
A textural triumph and a sensual delight, this distinctly '80s ice cream is as pleasing to look at as it is to consume
Picasso, Lichtenstein, Emin and others have all designed plates, but treating them only as art objects ruins the fun
The language we use to describe the sweet course at the end of a meal is more revealing than we think
A regular haunt of artists, dealers and curators, Sally Clarke’s restaurant in Kensington has been a beacon of unfussy excellence for 40 years
Modern creations may offer a riot of flavours but in form they’re no match for the fantastical shapes of the past
The artist’s ability to stop time is on full display in a painting that was recently acquired by the Louvre and is now touring France
