The History of Food Season 1 Episode 1 The Invention of Cooking

The History of Food is a fascinating new documentary series that explores the evolution of our relationship with food, from the first humans to the present day. Made up of six episodes, each instalment delves into a different aspect of food history, looking at how food has shaped the world and how the world has shaped food. With a combination of archive footage, re-enactments and expert interviews, this is a must-watch series for anyone with an interest in food and history.

Episode one of The History of Food is titled The Invention of Cooking and explores one of the most important moments in human history: the discovery of fire. Cooked food, as it turns out, was a game-changer for our ancestors, and this episode takes us through the hows and whys of this culinary revolution.

We start with the basics - how did we learn to control fire, and why was it so important? As we learn, fire allowed our ancestors to cook food for the first time, which not only made it more digestible but also increased its nutritional value. This had an enormous impact on our evolution, allowing us to develop bigger brains and smaller guts, and paving the way for the societies and cultures we know today.

The episode goes on to investigate how cooking has evolved over time, from the simple act of roasting meat on a spit to the complex techniques of haute cuisine. We see how different cultures have developed their own unique styles of cooking, and how trade and migration have brought new ingredients and techniques to different parts of the world.

Interspersed with all this fascinating history are some mouth-watering food shots - we see chefs creating everything from ancient Mesopotamian stews to modern-day sushi, and it's enough to make any viewer hungry.

The Invention of Cooking is not just a feast for the eyes, though - it's also a thought-provoking exploration of the role that food has played in human evolution. Why did cooked food make such a huge difference to our ancestors? Why did some societies develop complex cuisines while others stuck to simple fare? These are the kinds of questions that the episode poses, and it answers them with insight and intelligence.

At its heart, though, The History of Food is a celebration of our connection to the food we eat. Through the ages, food has been much more than just fuel for our bodies - it has been a way of expressing our creativity, our culture, and our humanity. The Invention of Cooking is a reminder of just how essential food is to our lives, and how lucky we are to have such a rich and diverse food culture to explore.