Click here to enter my other blog: Jane Austen's World.

Thursday, December 23

Christmas Takeaway in the 19th Century

This marvelous illustration @LIFE magazine shows ordinary people in the Victorian era purchasing takeaway food in London for their Christmas dinners. Not all people during that era had the space (or kitchens) to cook. And, thus, this scene.

Addendum: Reader Jenny Alworthy has added information to this post in her comment which makes absolute sense:
I think what this illustration shows is that because many people didn't have room in their oven to cook their dinner, they prepared it in advance and then took it to the baker's (who had a huge oven) just to get it cooked. I imagine they would pay the baker a small sum for the use of their ovens. I don't think that the baker actually prepared the food for them.
Have a safe and happy holiday this season, as this blog reduces the number of posts for the time being.Thank you all for visiting! Vic, Tony, and Raquel.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

Merry Christmas to you all! Thanks for posting that picture, it's wonderful! I had no idea...

Raquel said...

Thank you
Vic, Tony and all Jane Austen today's readers

Greetings Season!

Raquel

Anna said...

Merry Christmas, Vic!

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas!!

ladyestelle said...

Very interesting!
Thanks for sharing this.
Wishing you a blessed and Merry Christmas!
Lady Estelle

Laurel Ann (Austenprose) said...

Happy Holidays to Vic, Tony and Raquel.

Jenny Allworthy said...

Hope your Christmas was good Vic! I think what this illustration shows is that because many people didn't have room in their oven to cook their dinner, they prepared it in advance and then took it to the baker's (who had a huge oven) just to get it cooked. I imagine they would pay the baker a small sum for the use of their ovens. I don't think that the baker actually prepared the food for them. Cheers!