On Sunday 1 June 2025, Blackfriars will host, in partnership with Durham University’s IMEMS (*), the 26th Public lecture on ‘Joseph Bell, the Forgotten Câreme of the North’ presented by food-historian, Ivan Day, followed by a talk by Ian Kelly, co-creator of the Apple TV+ upcoming series: ‘Carême: Chef, Spy. Lover. Legend (starring Benjamin Voisin, Lyna Khoudri, Jérémie Renier, and Alice Da Luz) on his brilliant book the series was based upon.
In 1817, Joseph Bell, a former confectioner to their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and Duke of York, published a Treatise: ‘Confectionary in all its branches, in four parts’ drawing on knowledge ‘acquired by a practice of thirty-five years and upwards’. Bell’s Treatise which was published here in Newcastle was only issued in a single edition and is now a very rare book.
Independent and renowned food historian, museums and exhibitions consultant, and historic food educator, cook, and broadcaster, Ivan Day will discuss Bell and parallels between Bell’s remarkable work on decorative sugar work and his famous French counterpart. Ivan’s preferred method is to create dishes from early recipes using the techniques and equipment of the period. He now owns the moulds required to recreate some of these works which he still does from his 17th-century farmhouse in Cumbria which houses his collection of antique kitchen artefacts.
Bell had a difficult life. He opened, one after another, confectionery shops in Leeds, York and Scarborough. Since some aristocratic customers never paid him, Bell was bankrupted on two occasions. But most tragic of all, his daughter was murdered on the outskirts of Scarborough in 1804. The ghost of Miss Bell is still said to haunt the town and beach where she died.
Based on the book “Cooking for Kings: The Life of Antonin Carême, the First Celebrity Chef” (since re-issued simply as ‘Carême’) by multi-award-winning historian and actor Ian Kelly, “Carême” follows a very different and somewhat thrilling story of the world’s first celebrity chef, Antonin Carême, who rose from humble beginnings in Paris to the height of culinary stardom in Napoleon’s Europe. While he dreams only of becoming the most famous chef in the world, his talent and ambitions attract the attention of renowned and powerful politicians who use him as a spy for France. Determined to escape poverty and fulfill his dream, Carême can choose revenge, or he can have it all — women, wealth, fame — but at what cost? His love? His soul? His life? Ian will talk about how his best-selling book came to be made into this popular series.
Come and enjoy the fascinating stories of Joseph Bell with Ivan Day and Antonin Carême with Ian Kelly.
You may also like the following events from Blackfriars Restaurant:
- This Friday, 30th May, 07:00 pm, CLOISTER GARDEN BBQ – 7PM SITTING in Newcastle Upon Tyne
- This Friday, 30th May, 07:00 pm, Midsummer Murder Mystery Dinner in Newcastle Upon Tyne
- Next Thursday, 5th June, 09:00 am, MORNING COOKERY CLUB – CREOLE, GUMBO & ALL THAT JAZZ in Newcastle Upon Tyne
Also check out other
Food & Drink events in Newcastle Upon Tyne,
Arts events in Newcastle Upon Tyne,
Exhibitions in Newcastle Upon Tyne.
