Lydia Morris’s Sweet Tooth and Entertaining Victorian Ladies: A Talk and Tasting

Using Lydia Morris’ own handwritten cookbook from 1883 and other sources, food historian and author Becky Diamond will explain how entertaining and hosting teas from the Victorian era to the early 20th century was integral to the lives of middle and upper class Philadelphia ladies. The importance of sweets is well-documented, as is evidenced with the majority of the 125 recipes in Lydia’s recipe book, categorized as “Sweet Cakes, Puddings and Desserts; Tea Cakes and Desserts of a Different Kind.” Learn the social protocol of the time, how food was served, and the popular from Lydia’s own recipes and other cookbooks of the time. This class meets at the Arboretum’s Bloomfield Farm Horticulture Center.