Gastro Nerd - Foods named after places

BAKEWELL PUDDING/TART

named after Bakewell in Derbyshire. It was originally created by accident when a nobleman visiting the town's Rutland Arms Hotel ordered a jam tart. The cook, instead of stirring the egg and butter mixture into the cake, spread it on top of the jam. Ownership of the recipe is disputed.

LANCASHIRE HOTPOT

seemingly the only dish available at Coronation Street's Wetherfield Arms, the hotpot originates from the days of

heavy industrialisation. A layered stew of meat, vegetables and sliced potato, it was left on a low heat in the oven, allowing workers to return home to a tasty and filling meal. The recipe used to include oysters, in the days when they

were more affordable. Pickled red cabbage was often served as an accompaniment.

CORNISH PASTY

Tradition claims that the pasty was originally made as lunch for the Cornish miners who were unable to return to the surface to eat. Covered in dirt, they could hold the pasty by the folded crust and eat the rest. The discarded crust was said to appease the spirits in the mines who otherwise might lead the miners into danger. The original pasties would have had meat one side and fruit on the other.

MELTON MOWBRAY PORK PIE

the original pork pie hails from the town of Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, also home to the origins of Stilton cheese. The whey, produced as a by-product during the Stilton-making process, was a good source of food for pigs

and so the dairies began keeping them. The pork pie was developed as a way of using the pork that was produced.