ONCE UPON A PLATE

‘Lidice’ dish from Feasted’s Stoke Menu

When you think how significant ceramics are locally, it seems strange that we’ve not celebrated the relationship of ceramics and food in the city of Stoke on Trent.

We, as people of the Potteries, are known for travelling to far flung holiday destinations only to turn plates to see if it’s a native piece of ceramic. It’s in our blood and most definitely in our hearts. We are, as a city, very passionate about our heritage and collectively ceramics mean so much.

It seems strange that considering Staffordshire ceramics are the foundation of so many top restaurants around the globe that we have not blessed our wares with fine cuisine in our city.

Times are changing and there is a growing belief that in our city we must celebrate not only the heritage but also the new wares that are created by the ceramic firms that still exist and of course the small artisan potters.

That’s where Feasted’s idea of stories and plates began…

As a city and a people, it’s often said that ‘things don’t happen that way here duck’ but indeed they can. 

‘Telling stories is a great way to connect a cities contexts and develop an awareness of stories and events from the past.

As a teenager I was obsessed with Manchester and spent many a weekend there. It was that era in the early 90’s when Manchester was known as Madchester. It was happening, it was cool and felt vital.’

 I believe the power is in the narrative. My experiences of the cultural and music scene in Manchester has shown what can be achieved through a belief in the city you live in and a desire to do amazing things.

The power of joining the contexts of ceramics and food are very powerful. Especially in a city that is known for financial shortcomings. We should embrace our cities challenges, not shy away from them. We should challenge financial poverty, food poverty and food waste. If we believe in the plates we make, we should ensure none are left empty on any table in the city. Food poverty can be eradicated, the only thing maintaining its existence is the fact that we accept it.

‘Once Upon a Plate’ is a nod to the past and looks to create future narratives. F E A S T E D have already created many dishes that tell stories from our city’s rich heritage. 

One of those dishes is ‘Lidice”

Lidice is a place in the Czech Republic. The village was subjected to a Nazi massacre during the Second World War. The place was destroyed, with almost all inhabitants killed. A few children survived along with a single pear tree. Stoke on Trent MP, Barnett Stross, and coal miners across the city raised the equivalent of 1 million pounds to help rebuild the village. Such a noble and amazing achievement that has led to a great link with Lidice.

As part of helping to tell this story we created a dish (see pic) that explores the context of this story. 

The dish ‘Lidice shall live’ is a Czech inspired bread pudding with brandy and pear jam, Cabernet Sauvignon poached pear and charcoal ice cream, and it’s our nod to this sad but generous tale of loss and rebirth.

The city of Stoke on Trent was named UK city of kindness in 2020 and this story is a great example of how our kindness runs through the city through history to present day.

There are so many stories we can tell about our city. Telling our stories help us, as a city, feel close to our past and help those on the outside understand who we were, are and where we are going. It’s a narrative and one that we can define ourselves. The future is not written yet for us as people or for us as a city, and we all have the power to grow in belief and influence.

F E A S T E D believe that through food we can demonstrate the power of stories. We do this every month in our F E A S T  A T  H O M E dining experience.

This month's box is O X Y T O C I N and is our incredible offering for all you lovers out there. Not just for couples, but for those who care. O X Y T O C I N is available to order now for the 12th, 13th and 14th of February.

O X Y T O C I N is the second box of three monthly boxes exploring human happiness and pleasure.

‘Once Upon a Plate’ started as a workshop that we used to deliver in schools as part of our educational work. It has become so much more.

We’re not hoping for a ‘happily ever after’ but we hope to see the story develop.

Journey with us...