Sign language

BBC Four

BBC 4

Timeshift

Documentaries

Factual

Factual: History

Documentary series which ranges widely over Britain's social and cultural history.

Documentary series which ranges widely over Britain's social and cultural history, its narrative-led storytelling offering a richly immersive and varied window onto the past.

Time Shift: Series 10

Andrew Hussey

Merryn Threadgould

Ben Southwell

Michael Poole

Timeshift: Series 10: Episode 1: The North on a Plate

The North on a Plate

Episode 1

Episode 1: The North on a Plate

Series 10

BBC Four - Timeshift, Series 10, The North on a Plate

Andrew Hussey travels to the north west of England in search of its lost food culture.

Cultural historian Andrew Hussey follows his success with France on a Plate by travelling back to his homeland, the north west of England, in search of its lost food culture.

Paris-based cultural historian Andrew Hussey follows his success with France on a Plate by travelling back to his homeland, the north west of England, in search of its lost food culture. 

He brings with him the French idea of terroir, a term used by their wine growers and foodies - a belief that a food from a particular area is rendered unique though a particular set of local circumstances including culture and landscape. 

As he wanders around the north west, Andrew asks if this rather highbrow foodie term can be applied to common northern grub such as a Blackpool chip or a Wigan pie. As he isn't a foodie he relies on local people to help him out, including three generations of a Wigan biker club and a woman who knows far too much about rhubarb. 

In doing so, he uncovers some fascinating cultural history and the role of the Industrial Revolution in defining modern eating habits. And, most importantly, he redefines the concept of terroir by giving it a northern accent.

Timeshift: Series 10

Knowledge, arts, music and culture from the UK and the world.

BBC Four reflects arts, music and culture with an ambitious range of intellectually and culturally enriching programmes, taking an expert and in-depth approach to its subjects.

Documentary series which ranges widely over Britain's social and cultural history

Documentary series which ranges widely over Britain's social and cultural history, its narrative-led storytelling offering a richly immersive and varied window onto the past

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Timeshift

Series 10

Episode 1: The North on a Plate

Contributors

Genres

Formats

Brand

Series

BBC Four

About BBC Four