Home is where the heart is for Mary
She may not be judging The Great British Bake Off any more but Mary Berry is still keeping busy. Earlier this year she hosted her own series, Mary Berry Everyday, and she will soon be reunited with her old mates Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins for the festive special Mary, Mel and Sue’s Surprise Party (although by announcing that in advance, the BBC has rather spoilt the surprise).
But we don’t have to wait until Christmas to see more of Mary, as she is also hosting this new series. In it the cook and food writer, who is now something of a national treasure herself, takes a tour of some of Britain’s greatest stately homes to learn about their culinary history.
And where better to start than in Downton Abbey — or to give it its real name Highclere Castle — where the acclaimed period drama was filmed. The property is home to the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, and our very own Lady Mary will be learning more about life there both upstairs and downstairs. She discovers that before it found TV fame the estate was renowned for its lavish and highly influential weekend parties, and discovers the hard work that goes into keeping such a huge property running in the 21st century.
During her time at Highclere she also meets the loyal posse of gamekeepers, who help to inspire her menu for a final feast celebrating the house’s history. Mary comes up with a recipe for raspberry tartlets — and rest assured there will be no soggy bottoms with her pastry — as well as gamekeepers’ stew.