Chef Bryn Williams explores recipe archives

Renowned chef, Bryn Williams recently helped to kick off the Explore Your Archive campaign in Wales at Denbighshire Archives in Ruthin Gaol.

The campaign encouraged everyone to discover the stories, the facts, the places and the people that are at the heart of our communities with many archives opening their vaults and inviting the public to experience, understand and take pride in the wealth and variety of material they hold.

Originally from Denbigh, Bryn learnt to appreciate food and its origins from an early age. He has worked in some of the most prestigious kitchens in London and is now the Chef Patron of Odette's, taking over the property in October 2008. He has also recently opened Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias, a beach-front Bistro, Café & Bar on the North Wales Coast.

Bryn said:

“It’s fascinating to look at bygone recipes and to see what people used to cook with and also to examine how those old ways of cooking have influenced what we do in kitchens today. Recipes were one of the things that everyone wrote down and passed on to future generations so they give us a great insight into the food that was served in the richest of houses right down to the rations given out to prisoners or those in the workhouses.”

Head of Public Affairs - Archives and Records Association (UK & Ireland) Jon Elliott attended the launch and said:

“As the professional and membership body for the archives and records sector, the ARA is delighted at the ongoing commitment of the Welsh Government, its dedicated staff and partners to Explore Your Archive. The campaign is all about helping citizens, communities, businesses and  others understand and celebrate the treasures in their local archives and their relevance to the present day. Food in Wales has undergone a revolution in the past decade. It has long been a key part of the economy. The campaign theme and impressive launch event in Ruthin draw that direct link between people’s archival heritage, their everyday life today and the jobs and trade that so many in Wales depend on.”

Cabinet Secretary for Economy & Infrastructure, Ken Skates AM said:

“Archives play an integral part in shaping our communities and helping us to develop a rich sense of place and identity. They are unique, holding original records of local people, families, businesses and organisations, often in their own words. I hope to see this campaign introduce new people to the breadth of what’s available in these fascinating places, and would encourage anyone to visit, explore and engage with your local archive service.”

As part of this year’s campaign here in Wales the focus was on ‘food’ and a series of short films in English and Welsh have been created featuring historians and archivists looking at nutrition in prisons and workhouses, bygone remedies using some weird and wonderful ingredients and jam-making!

The films can be viewed on the archives.wales website, plus Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

A variety of free events at archives across Wales will be on offer from talks, film-showings, tours and trails to children’s craft activities, story boxes and creative workshops. Exhibitions on a range of themes will also be on display ranging from textiles, travel and holidays to rugby, railways and tithe maps.

To start exploring please visit your local archive service or archives.wales