Diplomatic Dinners

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

Avoiding The Crudites

20061003

20190915/16 (BBC7)

Tales of Stalin's consternation at British cutlery conventions and Americans on asparagus.

Chris Bowlby hears what it's like to eat for Britain from such wined-and-dined luminaries as Chris Patten and Christopher Meyer.

In this episode, we learn how at the Tehran Conference in 1943, Stalin was bemused by the array of cutlery stretching out on either side of his plate - eating dinner was so much simpler in post-Revolutionary Russia.

Also, how a game of musical chairs at a British embassy white tie event split opinions among the higher echelons.

Producer: Mark Savage.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2006.

Chris Bowlby hears from wined-and-dined luminaries what it's like to eat for Britain.

Potage Aux Ambassadeurs

20061010

20190922/23 (BBC7)

How the French reacted when the British served up a cheese called Waterloo.

Chris Bowlby hears what it's like to eat for Britain from such wined-and-dined luminaries as Chris Patten and Christopher Meyer.

In this episode, he hears how Britain has tried to improve the image of its cuisine in the eyes of the French and some of the more challenging dishes the diplomats have to eat for Queen and country.

Producer: Mark Savage.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2006.

Chris Bowlby hears how Britain has tried to impress the French. From 2006.

Medallions De Guerres

20061017

20190929/30 (BBC7)

Devilish Soviet shenanigans are thwarted by the great British sandwich.

Chris Bowlby hears what it's like to eat for Britain from such wined-and-dined luminaries as Chris Patten and Christopher Meyer.

In this episode, he hears how devilish Soviet shenanigans are thwarted by the great British sandwich.

Producer: Mark Savage.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2006.

High Spirits

20061024

20191006/07 (BBC7)

How to stand up for your country when all you feel like doing is falling down.

Chris Bowlby hears what it's like to eat for Britain from such wined-and-dined luminaries as Chris Patten and Christopher Meyer.

In this episode, he hears about the perils of alcoholic customs and vodka-soaked diplomacy.

Tasked with standing up for their country what do diplomats do when all they are only capable of is falling down? From Churchill and Stalin through to the Cold War, the toasting rituals at diplomatic gatherings remained warm, but what was the real reason behind this cordiality?

Producer: Mark Savage

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2006.

Chris Bowlby presents a series of anecdotes about diplomatic meals. From 2006.

Badoit Versus Bollinger

20061031

20191013/14 (BBC7)

The importance of diplomatic dining today and the tension between conflicting needs.

Chris Bowlby presents a series of anecdotes about diplomatic meals. From 2006.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	Avoiding The Crudites	20061003	20190915/16 (BBC7)	Tales of Stalin's consternation at British cutlery conventions and Americans on asparagus. Chris Bowlby hears what it's like to eat for Britain from such wined-and-dined luminaries as Chris Patten and Christopher Meyer. In this episode, we learn how at the Tehran Conference in 1943, Stalin was bemused by the array of cutlery stretching out on either side of his plate - eating dinner was so much simpler in post-Revolutionary Russia. Also, how a game of musical chairs at a British embassy white tie event split opinions among the higher echelons. Producer: Mark Savage. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2006. Chris Bowlby hears from wined-and-dined luminaries what it's like to eat for Britain.
02	Potage Aux Ambassadeurs	20061010	20190922/23 (BBC7)	How the French reacted when the British served up a cheese called Waterloo. Chris Bowlby hears what it's like to eat for Britain from such wined-and-dined luminaries as Chris Patten and Christopher Meyer. In this episode, he hears how Britain has tried to improve the image of its cuisine in the eyes of the French and some of the more challenging dishes the diplomats have to eat for Queen and country. Producer: Mark Savage. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2006. Chris Bowlby hears how Britain has tried to impress the French. From 2006.
03	Medallions De Guerres	20061017	20190929/30 (BBC7)	Devilish Soviet shenanigans are thwarted by the great British sandwich. Chris Bowlby hears what it's like to eat for Britain from such wined-and-dined luminaries as Chris Patten and Christopher Meyer. In this episode, he hears how devilish Soviet shenanigans are thwarted by the great British sandwich. Producer: Mark Savage. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2006.
04	High Spirits	20061024	20191006/07 (BBC7)	How to stand up for your country when all you feel like doing is falling down. Chris Bowlby hears what it's like to eat for Britain from such wined-and-dined luminaries as Chris Patten and Christopher Meyer. In this episode, he hears about the perils of alcoholic customs and vodka-soaked diplomacy. Tasked with standing up for their country what do diplomats do when all they are only capable of is falling down? From Churchill and Stalin through to the Cold War, the toasting rituals at diplomatic gatherings remained warm, but what was the real reason behind this cordiality? Producer: Mark Savage First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2006. Chris Bowlby presents a series of anecdotes about diplomatic meals. From 2006.
05	Badoit Versus Bollinger	20061031	20191013/14 (BBC7)	The importance of diplomatic dining today and the tension between conflicting needs. Chris Bowlby presents a series of anecdotes about diplomatic meals. From 2006.