A pretty interesting article in the Guardian today on Jamie Oliver, food and class:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/oct/01/foodanddrink.oliver
One point I query (a side point, really):
"Mrs Beeton spread the idealised habit to the burgeoning middle classes, who were keen to copy the rich and differentiate themselves in their new wealth from the poor."
This "rich differentiate themselves from the poor" line is quite a common one. See also here: http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200810/editors-choice
The idea comes from Pierre Bourdieu, I believe. I'm not really sure it makes sense though. Do people who can afford to eat steak, eat steak, because people who can't consume hamburgers? I feel not. On the other hand, there are certainly weird symbolic politics involved in these kinds of issue.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/oct/01/foodanddrink.oliver
One point I query (a side point, really):
"Mrs Beeton spread the idealised habit to the burgeoning middle classes, who were keen to copy the rich and differentiate themselves in their new wealth from the poor."
This "rich differentiate themselves from the poor" line is quite a common one. See also here: http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200810/editors-choice
The idea comes from Pierre Bourdieu, I believe. I'm not really sure it makes sense though. Do people who can afford to eat steak, eat steak, because people who can't consume hamburgers? I feel not. On the other hand, there are certainly weird symbolic politics involved in these kinds of issue.