Ep 14. Great Fire Of London

The Hairy Bikers are back and this time they're taking on one of the most iconic moments in English history - the Great Fire of London. In this episode, Dave and Si explore the impact that the fire had on the city, its people and its food.

The episode begins with the bikers taking a tour of the city, visiting some of the places worst affected by the fire. They learn that the fire started in a bakery on Pudding Lane in September 1666, and it quickly spread through the city, destroying thousands of homes and businesses.

One of the places the bikers visit is the Monument, which was built to commemorate the Great Fire. The monument stands 202 feet tall, the exact distance from Pudding Lane where the fire started. The bikers climb the 311 steps to the top of the monument and take in the stunning views of the city. From this viewpoint, it's clear just how devastating the fire must have been.

Next, the bikers visit one of London's oldest markets, Borough Market. Here, they meet a group of food historians who explain how the fire affected the food of London. The fire destroyed many of the bakeries and breweries in the city, and it took years for the city's food industry to recover. However, the fire did have some positive effects on the food of London. It led to a shift away from heavy, spiced dishes and towards lighter, simpler foods.

The bikers then head to This'n'That, a market stall in Borough Market that sells ingredients from around the world. They meet the stall's owner, who shows them a range of ingredients that weren't available in London in the 17th century. The bikers are inspired by the ingredients and decide to use them in a modern take on a classic English dish - fish and chips.

Back in the kitchen, the bikers get to work creating their dish. They start by making a beer batter for the fish, using a local London brewery's ale. They then coat the fish in the batter and deep fry it until it's crispy and golden brown. For the chips, the bikers use sweet potatoes, which were not available in London in the 17th century but have now become a staple of British cuisine.

The dish is a hit with the food historians, who praise the bikers for their modern take on a classic dish. The bikers are pleased with the outcome, and they feel that they have done justice to the food of London.

In the final part of the episode, the bikers visit St. Paul's Cathedral, which survived the Great Fire. They reflect on the impact that the fire had on the city and its people, and they express their gratitude for the city's resilience in the face of adversity.

Overall, this episode of Hairy Bikers is a fascinating look at the Great Fire of London and its impact on the city's food. It's also a testament to the bikers' skills as chefs and their ability to create modern and innovative dishes while staying true to the traditions of English cuisine.