logo
episode-header-image
May 2022
27m 15s

Feeding the imagination

Bbc World Service
About this episode

What do writers eat to stoke their creative fires?

George Orwell is said to have had a penchant for plum pudding, while Agatha Christie was partial to sipping cream while at the typewriter.

Food is fuel for an author but also serves as inspiration; often finding its way on to the page.

In this episode of The Food Chain, Ruth Alexander speaks to novelists Avni Doshi and Abi Dare about their relationship with food and drink and how that influences their writing.

If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: thefoodchain@bbc.co.uk

(Picture: Image of an apple and two bananas on a laptop screen. Credit: Getty/BBC)

Producer: Elisabeth Mahy

Up next
Oct 29
Why are people talking about food noise?
The term 'food noise' has been used by some to describe thoughts about food that are unwelcome and intrusive. People who have used weight-loss medication have reported that the drugs can help to quieten these thoughts. Ruth Alexander explores how frequent thoughts about food can ... Show More
26m 29s
Oct 21
The joy (and pain) of sharing food
Do you love to share food with friends and family? Or resent handing over even one french fry from your plate? Sharing food has a long and proud tradition in some cultures and is relatively rare in others. Ruth Alexander looks at what it does for our relationships, how it can enh ... Show More
26m 29s
Oct 14
How to eat well when travelling for work
What does a life on tour do to a stand-up comedian's eating habits? And how do you stay healthy if half of your working life is spent travelling? Ruth Alexander finds out. If you travel regularly for work you'll know how hard it can be to hold onto good eating patterns. Internati ... Show More
26m 28s
Recommended Episodes
May 2024
Sour candy throwbacks, fantasy literature, and reality TV
tail spinning
48m 3s
May 2025
20.19: Cooking as a Writing Metaphor
What does cooking have to do with writing? In this episode, we explore how the creative choices we make in the kitchen—whether it’s improvising with missing ingredients or following a beloved recipe—mirror the choices we make on the page. From frozen dinners to fine dining, we di ... Show More
29m 40s
Apr 2024
You Are What You Eat
Cooking a meal is often compared to creating a work of art. From the recipes that inspire you, to your palette of spices, to the smells and tastes that stir up emotions, all of it comes together on an edible canvas as an expression of the inner self. It’s no wonder so many cultur ... Show More
18m 57s
May 2024
Food Glorious Food - No Tax on Truffles
“It says it’s one of the most wonderful tastes in the world.” It’s a gastronomical episode of the podcast today. Stuart loved writing about his favourite foods – both in fiction and non-fiction – and Jess has gathered some great examples of both for today’s show. Plus a hilarious ... Show More
43m 9s
Dec 2020
Foods of Christmas Past
Scenes of Victorian Christmas feasts conjure visions of roasting chestnuts on a lively fire, roast goose on the platter, and a flaming plum pudding with, of course some mince pie and fruitcake. British Food Historian Annie Gray discusses the history of the foods of Christmas past ... Show More
38m 37s
Jun 2023
80. The Snacking Revolution: From Hype Treats To It-Desserts
<p>Welcome back to Create Tomorrow. On this week’s episode Claire Lancaster, WGSN head of Food &amp; Drink and Katherine Schub, Forecaster and Strategist on our Food and Drink team join Bethan to discuss snacking culture.</p> <p>Consumers are snacking more than ever, whether for ... Show More
20m 51s
Mar 2022
Introducing a New Podcast: Literally Delicious!
Food nerds, rejoice! Check out this new podcast where an ordinary home cook makes food from classic works of literature and then gives you the recipe.If you would like to suggest a meal (or beverage) from a work of literature for a future deep dive, send an email with the dish’s ... Show More
7m 29s
Oct 2023
The best food writing is personal
This week, we bring you a conversation about food memoirs from the recent FT Weekend Festival. Cooking and eating are two of the most sensory and universal experiences we have, which makes food an excellent vehicle for stories. And food memoirs have become an extremely popular ge ... Show More
24m 10s