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    Neil Buttery

    Neil Buttery is a food historian, podcaster, author and former chef and restauranteur who is a regular contributor to Country Life, as well as being a truly outstanding example of nominative determinism. You can follow him on Instagram @dr_neil_buttery.
    The world's favourite cow? A group of Aberdeen Angus at St Abbs Head, Scotland.

    Aberdeen Angus, the beef that's the best of all worlds

    The award-winning author, food historian and chef Neil Buttery tells the tale of the Aberdeen Angus — and some tips on how to make the perfect steak.

    • rhhqADuHgLbVGMJF5nx7AV.jpg

      Mince pies really did once contain meat — and this Victorian recipe will convince you that they should to this day

      Once packed with meat, such as ox tongue and mutton, alongside dried and candied fruit and extravagant spices, the mince pie is not what it once was — and food historian Neil Buttery says that's made them worse.

      By Neil Buttery Published 27 December 24

    • The 1857 Royal banquet at Windsor Castle at Christmas time, showing the procession of the dishes being carried in. The first is boar's head with parsley and traditional lemon in its month; the secondly is the large decorative Christmas pie.

      The greatest pies of Christmas past, including 300lb whopper that included 20 rabbits, 15 woodcock, a curlew and 46 yellowhammers

      Today’s baked goods pale in comparison to a Georgian festive speciality, says food historian Neil Buttery, as he lifts the lid on the Yorkshire Christmas Pye.

      By Neil Buttery Published 23 December 24

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