FEAST!

As we moved from Autumn to Winter and Spring 2021-22, Warwick staff and students linked to the Food GRP worked with City of Culture, Coventry BID, Destination Coventry, My-Parish, journalist-blogger Ellen Manning & various partner organizations to highlight the vibrancy & diversity of the food scene in the region.

This page documents the wide range of activities and events, including our Food Extravaganza day (click on the panel debate pic for video highlights) and the Berkswell Feast Food Fair (clip, website).

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Feast Food Festival

Nov-Dec 2021

From starters to mains, sides to what to drink, local food / beverage producers, restaurants & Food GRP researchers have been sharing the stories behind their feast delicacies to showcase what's on the plate in Coventry & Warwickshire. Check out our 'Feast Food Festival' introduction and the weekly themed videos we produced with food blogger Ellen Manning and cameraman Dan Watts who filmed and interviewed on location throughout the region at the end of 2021.

Exhi-BEAN-tion

5 December 2021

Unfazed by Covid-19 complications, we held an event featuring taster pots of vegan bean dishes from around the world, showcasing our locally grown haricot beans. You can read about the event, watch a recording and access some fantastic bean recipes here.

Beer Festival & Feast Food Fair

25-26 March 2022

A two part event (Teaser) which built on the medieval custom of church ales at St John the Baptist Church, Berkswell, co-hosted with the My-Parish network based in Warwick's History department. For impressions & documentation of our Beer Festival (Friday evening) and Feast Food Fair (Saturday) please visit HERE.

Food & Drink Extravaganza

20 April 2022

Mobilizing members of the Classics, History & Philosophy departments, regional partners & alumni, FEAST! supported a day of free attractions in the Resonate Campus Festival: 'Roman Coventry Activities' (offering fun for families); 'The Dinner Party' (involving place settings created by visitors) & a public debate on ‘Rethinking Hospitality - The Future of Food & Drinks Catering’ (featuring entrepreneurs, academics & Coventry caterers) - catch up with our video highlights.

For more FEAST! info

please contact our Food GRP administrator or, for specific projects:

Rosemary Collier (Life Sciences & Food GRP lead; 'Exhi-bean-tion')
Paul Grigsby (Classics, 'Roman Activities')
Eileen John (Philosophy, 'Dinner Party')
Beat Kümin (History & Food GRP lead; 'Beer / Feast Food Fair' & 'Hospitality')

Networking event

FEAST! partners relaxing at our 'Thank You' event (Metropolis, Coventry, 11/5/22)

Festive Dishes & Drinks

Research Presentations

Specifically for FEAST!, food & drink researchers from the University of Warwick and beyond have been investigating the stories & meanings associated with dishes & beverages like festive bread, church ales, Coventry God Cakes, haggis, historic beers, hot chocolate, seasonal vegetables, Warwickshire perry and spiced wines.

You can find all of their blog posts & conversations on our thematically arranged Feast Food Festival page, alongside some celebratory dishes from India & China.

Further resources

See our video introduction to FEAST! & hear Beat Kümin's interview with Rachel New on BBC Radio CWR (10 November 2021):

Use our interactive map of celebratory dishes in the area

Catch up on all FEAST! weeks

Download the FEAST! poster

Full Resonate Festival ProgrammeLink opens in a new window & see how the Warwick Institute of EngagementLink opens in a new window is involved