London and Middlesex Archaeological Society (LAMAS) Local History Conference:
‘Food Glorious Food!’
Saturday 15th November 2025, Museum of London Docklands
Call for papers, [extended] deadline – 31 May 2025
The theme of this one-day conference is the history of food in London. The theme is intentionally broad to allow for wide and varied interpretations of the idea. We are interested in any topic relating food in any period of London’s history. This covers the production, distribution and consumption of food, as well as food culture, customs, practices, and traditions.
The organisers of the conference are seeking proposals from local historians, academics, postgraduate students, and anyone with a scholarly interest in the history of London for engaging and accessible talks or presentations of around 20-25 minutes. The LAMAS Local History Conference attracts a keen ‘general interest’ audience as well as many members of local history societies from across London and its surrounding counties who have more specialised interests.
Presentations on any aspect of food in London’s history are welcomed. Themes might include:
- Production of foodstuffs, including growing, processing, and manufacturing
- Transportation of food, including importing, distributing and delivering
- Historic arrival of foods and foodstuffs into London, including plants and animals
- Selling and retailing of food, including shops, eateries, and street food
- Consumption of food, including social, cultural, regional, class, and gendered perspectives
- Celebratory foods, including festivals, fairs, and landmark events
- Materiality of food, including cookware, utensils, and equipment
- Institutional food, including schools, workhouses, prisons, and asylums
- Restrictions on food, including rationing, shortages, and bans
- Politics of food, including boycotts, strikes, starvation, and laws
- Marketing of food, including packaging, advertising, and promotion
- Food in historical popular culture, including literature, theatre, film, music
Proposals comprising an abstract of no more than 500 words should be sent, via e-mail, to Dr John Price at johnprice.historian@outlook.com
The original deadline for proposals has been extended to 31 May 2025. Speakers will be selected and contacted by the end of June 2025.