Heston's Feasts Season 1 Episode 4 Heston's Roman Feast

Heston's Feasts season 1 episode 4, entitled "Heston's Roman Feast," sees famed chef Heston Blumenthal taking on the challenge of recreating a lavish ancient Roman banquet. With a team of expert food historians to consult with, Heston delves into the culinary habits and practices of the Roman Empire, looking to accurately recreate the food, drink, and presentation of a traditional Roman feast.

To begin his feast, Heston must first track down some unusual ingredients, such as the rare old Roman wine Falernian and a variety of exotic spices and herbs. He also enlists the help of a blacksmith to create Roman-style cookware and utensils, including bronze cooking pots and a spit-roast for the centerpiece dish.

As the preparations continue, Heston and his team begin to uncover the fascinating stories behind some of the ingredients and dishes they are recreating. For example, they learn that the Romans often enjoyed snails as a delicacy and even bred them for consumption. Heston also discovers that many of the dishes were heavily seasoned with garum, a pungent fish sauce that was a staple of Roman cuisine.

With all the ingredients in hand and the cooking tools prepared, it's time for Heston to begin the feast proper. He and his guests are transported back to ancient Rome with an elaborate table setting, featuring intricate decorations, candles, and even a live peacock.

The feast itself features a wide array of dishes, including oysters with cumin and white wine, stuffed dormouse (a traditional Roman dish), lamb with figs and honey, and even a dessert made of parsnips and dates. Heston seamlessly integrates the garum into many of the dishes, demonstrating just how essential the ingredient was to the ancient Romans.

As the evening goes on, Heston and his guests are treated to wine and entertainment, including acrobats and dancers. The chef himself even dons a toga to fully immerse himself in the Roman experience.

Overall, "Heston's Roman Feast" is a fascinating look at the complexity and ingenuity of ancient Roman cuisine. The episode is full of interesting tidbits and historical anecdotes, and the feast itself is an impressive feat of culinary skill and creativity.