Author Archives: kayjayaitch

A Minor History Of Le Pique-Nique

Posted on June 26, 2020 by kayjayaitch

  Where the word ‘picnic’ comes from is something of a mystery but it is conjectured that the French root may derive from the verb piquer (‘to peck’ or ‘to pick’) and the noun nique (‘a small amount’ or ‘nothing whatsoever’); … Continue reading →

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M. Parmentier & The Potato

Posted on May 31, 2020 by kayjayaitch

Potato Pete! An iconic potato shaped character from the war years whose sole purpose was to encourage the planting and harvesting of potatoes in an effort to make the country more self-sufficient during the second world war. But, iconic though … Continue reading →

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How To Patronize A Woman Part 3, Or Was It 4? Or 5?

Posted on April 30, 2020 by kayjayaitch

From the archive, a modest, unassuming piece from ‘Womans Day’ on how to transform the plainest of the plain into Betty Grable! (Julia Roberts to those of a later time span or Katie Perry to those so young as to … Continue reading →

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How to Patronize a Woman

Posted on April 9, 2020 by kayjayaitch

“. . . the really well trained cook is one of the few women who need never fear unemployment” This article from Good Housekeeping describes in better detail the limited range of jobs considered to be suitable for a woman … Continue reading →

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Easter Breads And Braids

Posted on March 28, 2020 by kayjayaitch

Fruit Braid & Easter Ring  This is possibly one of my favorite sweet-dough recipes. There are others but having used this on a number of occasions and always getting a good result I shall include it here. These recipes come … Continue reading →

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If You Don’t Eat Your Greens . . .

Posted on February 29, 2020 by kayjayaitch

You Won’t Grow Up Big And Strong! One of the main indications of financial success and upward mobility amongst socially aware Kenyan men is the ditching of so-called ‘rabbit food’ (vegetables) to be replaced with meat, chicken, sausages, burgers and … Continue reading →

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10 Things You Never Knew About . . . Robbie Burns

Posted on January 25, 2020 by kayjayaitch

Robert Burns, poet, farmer and philosopher. (25th Jan. 1759 – 21st July 1796) The traditional Burns supper is a celebration of the life and poetry of Robert Burns. Normally held on or near the poet’s birthday of 25th January they … Continue reading →

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The Scottish Kitchen

Posted on December 31, 2019 by kayjayaitch

Like England, food in Scotland today is an eclectic mix of many cultures – English, Scandinavian (via the Vikings) Italian, Indian and Chinese. In Scotland, the Scots hold on tightly to their culinary heritage still using local, seasonal foods when … Continue reading →

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Christmas Through The Eyes Of Womans Weekly

Posted on November 30, 2019 by kayjayaitch

Womens Magazines have provided a wealth of interesting articles over the years and here are some I found in a more recent publication that reproduced pages and articles from its own publication base.             Another … Continue reading →

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A New Home For the Archive

Posted on October 26, 2019 by kayjayaitch

Following a fairly major refurbishment over the past six months the archive has finally moved to its new permanent home in a purpose built space under the stairs. The cookbook itself remains tucked away in its own drawer for safekeeping … Continue reading →

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