VE Day
It’s Victory in Europe Day where we mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. To honour this historic event, festivities are kicking off all around London – from concerts and displays of poppies to the military flypast. This week we wanted to take a closer look at the classic British dishes associated with the 1940s and uncover some of the wartime recipes that kept the country going. Taking inspiration from the tasty treats behind VE Day street parties, look no further for a reminder of vintage favourites that have truly stood the test of time. Comforting, hearty, and wonderfully nostalgic, British wartime classics remain some of the nation’s most loved meals.
Marking an end to nearly six years of devastating war, VE Day is a momentous day of memorial in British culture. After years of wartime restrictions such as food and clothes rationing, blackouts, and bombing raids, people were eager to celebrate peace with huge street parties erupting full of dancing, drinking, colourful bunting and flags. Assured by the Ministry of Food that there were sufficient beer supplies, Churchill declared 8th May a national holiday in 1945. Britons celebrated with a mix of classic favourites, from jam sandwiches, Battenberg cake, and shortbread biscuits. Many restaurants celebrated with a special ‘victory’ menu which offered patriotic staples such as pork pies and sausage rolls. A popular choice to this day, these picnic friendly options were and still are a favourite party food. Our Lidgate Sausage Rolls are wrapped in streaky bacon and puff pastry, delicious on their own or dipped in some delicious tomato ketchup.
Wartime cooking was a difficult endeavour, with the restrictions of rationing and food shortages. Meat became a prized commodity. When entertaining, it became common for guests to bring their own steaks for grilling due to the impossibility of catering for many with just one family’s rations. During the 1940s, favourites included spam fritters, stews, and Shepherd’s Pie. Meat rissoles became a common go-to meal, using leftover cooked meat with mashed potato, onion, and herbs, to create burger-like patties. The British age-old traditional meal of Faggots was a thrifty and delicious way to make the most of the meat available. Why not try this historic dish in a re-imagined form, such as this recipe for Spiced Lamb Faggot with Carrot Puree from Great British Chefs. Packed with lamb and pork belly and served with a red wine jus or rich gravy, its certainly a fancy upgrade to the humble faggot. Our Lidgate Minced Lamb would work perfectly for this dish as well as many other wartime classics.
Many of the cornerstones of British cuisine such as Toad in the Hole or Bubble and Squeak were the bread and butter of 1940s culinary culture before and after the war. Sausages baked in a Yorkshire pudding batter has never really gone out of fashion, and the principles of resourcefulness and clever combinations has underpinned many of the nation’s beloved dishes. Pies were, of course, a common appearance.
The Bacon and Egg Pie was a comforting and hearty meal which attempted to make ration allowances go further. Homity Pie was deliciously cheesy and abundant in vegetables, this recipe attempted to make the most of vegetables that could be homegrown in Britain using leeks, potatoes, and onion. Meat was the last item to be de-rationed in 1954, and due to this, Woolton Pie became a huge success.
This vegetarian pastry dish was widely served during food shortages and recommended by the government to encourage a nutritious diet. Named after the Minister of Food, the recipe involved parsnips, cauliflower, carrots, and sometimes turnips – but some modern re-inventions add meat back into the mix for ultimate flavour! Try adding our Diced Lamb or Brisket for some extra wow factor.
With VE Day celebrations already in full swing, London is set to host a moving series of tributes and events honouring the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe. On Wednesday evening, Westminster Abbey will hold a commemorative concert featuring a special performance by The Parliament Choir. Thursday’s official programme begins with a national service of remembrance, attended by members of the Royal Family, veterans, political leaders, and representatives from key charities. A two-minute silence will be observed at midday, uniting the nation in a moment of reflection. The National Theatre will also premiere a newly commissioned short film to mark the occasion, while later that evening, more than 2,500 beacons will be lit across the UK in a powerful display of unity and remembrance.