Posh Nosh
Encyclopedia
Posh Nosh is a 2003 BBC television programme parody
ing television chef
s; the title and basic outline a reference to a cooking show pilot pitched by Neil Hamilton
and Christine Hamilton
. Written by Jon Canter
and Arabella Weir
from an idea by Weir, and directed and script edited by Chris Langham
, the programme stars Arabella Weir and Richard E. Grant
as chefs the Hon. Simon and Minty Marchmont, owners of a very posh restaurant called "The Quill & Tassel". There were eight nine-minute episodes, in which the chefs carry out their mission to bring "extraordinary food" to "ordinary people".
Simon and Minty prepare various dishes ranging from architect's fish and chips
to bread AND butter pudding
, offering snooty and frequently surreal commentary along the way. For instance, they employ words in odd ways in parody of specific culinary terminology, such as "interrogate a lemon"; and their cooked vegetables are not peeled but "embarrassed", after which they might be "annoyed" instead of boiled. They also frequently insist on ultra-specific, often prohibitively expensive, ingredients—such as Greek currants that you actually have to fly to Greece to buy.
At the same time, a thread of increasing domestic tension (and often hostility) runs beneath the surface of every exchange between Simon and Minty, like Simon frequently rolling his eyes at Minty's malapropisms or Simon sarcastically commenting on Minty's cooking skills, along with some not-so-subtle hints about Simon's repressed sexual orientation. The couple illustrate aspects of the British class divide, with Minty as a middle-class social climber who married Simon for his status. She constantly brags about her high station in life, while also seeming to run "The Quill and Tassel" kitchens single-handed. A running joke in the series is Simon's crush on his tennis instructor José Luis (David Tennant
). José Luis dies before episode 8, and Simon and Minty cook a meal to remember him in this episode. At the dinner, Simon is introduced to a new tennis coach, also played by David Tennant. Both Marchmonts are obsessed with their dog, Sam, going so far as to throw a birthday party (complete with other dog guests) for him. The birthday cake prepared for the party contains huge amounts of chocolate, which would kill dogs
, a rather macabre joke.
The common use of web sites in television programmes is often spoofed as well, with items such as www.sexmexavocado.com and www.arthurleggbourkersfarmnearbanbury.co.uk appearing as subtitles on screen.
Finally, each episode concludes with teaser for the next episode and a short faux promotional piece for a jar of something "from the Posh Nosh range" at your local purveyor of all foods fine and extraordinary. Each item on offer is progressively more ridiculous. For example, here is the close from the episode about architect's fish and chips (as distinct from builder's fish and chips):
The voiceover for these promotionals is performed by Joanna Lumley
.
", in a 1950s recording by countertenor Alfred Deller
to guitar accompaniment by Desmond Dupré
. It uses the following verses from the ballad:
Opening theme:
What care I for my house and my land?
What care I for my treasure, O?
What care I for my new-wedded lord,
I’m off with the raggle taggle gipsies, O!
Closing theme:
What care I for a goose feather bed
With the sheet turned down so bravely, O?
For tonight I shall sleep in a cold open field,
[Faux promo for Posh Nosh range product inserted here]
Along with the raggle taggle gipsies, O!
Parody
A parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
ing television chef
Chef
A chef is a person who cooks professionally for other people. Although over time the term has come to describe any person who cooks for a living, traditionally it refers to a highly skilled professional who is proficient in all aspects of food preparation.-Etymology:The word "chef" is borrowed ...
s; the title and basic outline a reference to a cooking show pilot pitched by Neil Hamilton
Neil Hamilton
Neil Hamilton may refer to:*Neil Hamilton , American actor*Neil Hamilton , former British Member of Parliament*Neil Hamilton , American lawyer and author...
and Christine Hamilton
Christine Hamilton
Christine Hamilton is a British television personality and author, and the wife of former British Member of Parliament Neil Hamilton who was Minister for Corporate Affairs between 1992-1994....
. Written by Jon Canter
Jon Canter
Jon Canter is an English television comedy writer for Lenny Henry and other leading comedians. Canter was born and brought up in the Jewish community of Golders Green, North London and studied law at the University of Cambridge where he became President of Footlights.After a spell in advertising...
and Arabella Weir
Arabella Weir
Arabella Weir is a British comedian, actress and writer.The daughter of former British ambassador Sir Michael Weir, she is best known for her roles in The Fast Show and for writing several books including the international best seller Does My Bum Look Big In This? Arabella Weir (born 6 December...
from an idea by Weir, and directed and script edited by Chris Langham
Chris Langham
Christopher "Chris" Langham is an English writer, actor and comedian. He is most famous for playing MP Hugh Abbot in BBC Four sitcom The Thick of It and as presenter Roy Mallard in People Like Us, first on BBC Radio 4 and later on its transfer to television on BBC Two, where Mallard is almost...
, the programme stars Arabella Weir and Richard E. Grant
Richard E. Grant
Richard E. Grant is a Swaziland-born British actor, screenwriter and director. His most notable role came in the film Withnail and I. He holds dual British and Swazi citizenship.-Early life:...
as chefs the Hon. Simon and Minty Marchmont, owners of a very posh restaurant called "The Quill & Tassel". There were eight nine-minute episodes, in which the chefs carry out their mission to bring "extraordinary food" to "ordinary people".
Simon and Minty prepare various dishes ranging from architect's fish and chips
Fish and chips
Fish and chips is a popular take-away food in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Canada...
to bread AND butter pudding
Bread and butter pudding
Bread and butter pudding is made by layering slices of buttered bread scattered with raisins in an oven dish into which an egg and milk mixture, commonly seasoned with nutmeg , is poured.-Instructions:...
, offering snooty and frequently surreal commentary along the way. For instance, they employ words in odd ways in parody of specific culinary terminology, such as "interrogate a lemon"; and their cooked vegetables are not peeled but "embarrassed", after which they might be "annoyed" instead of boiled. They also frequently insist on ultra-specific, often prohibitively expensive, ingredients—such as Greek currants that you actually have to fly to Greece to buy.
At the same time, a thread of increasing domestic tension (and often hostility) runs beneath the surface of every exchange between Simon and Minty, like Simon frequently rolling his eyes at Minty's malapropisms or Simon sarcastically commenting on Minty's cooking skills, along with some not-so-subtle hints about Simon's repressed sexual orientation. The couple illustrate aspects of the British class divide, with Minty as a middle-class social climber who married Simon for his status. She constantly brags about her high station in life, while also seeming to run "The Quill and Tassel" kitchens single-handed. A running joke in the series is Simon's crush on his tennis instructor José Luis (David Tennant
David Tennant
David Tennant is a Scottish actor. In addition to his work in theatre, including a widely praised Hamlet, Tennant is best known for his role as the tenth incarnation of the Doctor in Doctor Who, along with the title role in the 2005 TV serial Casanova and as Barty Crouch, Jr...
). José Luis dies before episode 8, and Simon and Minty cook a meal to remember him in this episode. At the dinner, Simon is introduced to a new tennis coach, also played by David Tennant. Both Marchmonts are obsessed with their dog, Sam, going so far as to throw a birthday party (complete with other dog guests) for him. The birthday cake prepared for the party contains huge amounts of chocolate, which would kill dogs
Theobromine
Theobromine , also known as xantheose, is a bitter alkaloid of the cacao plant, with the chemical formula C7H8N4O2. It is found in chocolate, as well as in a number of other foods, including the leaves of the tea plant, and the kola nut...
, a rather macabre joke.
The common use of web sites in television programmes is often spoofed as well, with items such as www.sexmexavocado.com and www.arthurleggbourkersfarmnearbanbury.co.uk appearing as subtitles on screen.
Finally, each episode concludes with teaser for the next episode and a short faux promotional piece for a jar of something "from the Posh Nosh range" at your local purveyor of all foods fine and extraordinary. Each item on offer is progressively more ridiculous. For example, here is the close from the episode about architect's fish and chips (as distinct from builder's fish and chips):
- Minty: Join us next week on Posh Nosh, when I'll be disabling a partridge in its own jus.
- (closing theme as the credits slide by, right to left, very quickly)
- (pause at the end of the third line)
- Promo: From the Posh Nosh range, Dried John DoryJohn DoryJohn Dory, also known as St Pierre or Peter's Fish, refers to fish of the genus Zeus, especially Zeus faber, of widespread distribution. It is an edible benthic coastal marine fish with a laterally compressed olive-yellow body which has a large dark spot, and long spines on the dorsal fin...
Thins in Basil Aioli. - (last line of closing theme)
The voiceover for these promotionals is performed by Joanna Lumley
Joanna Lumley
Joanna Lamond Lumley, OBE, FRGS is a British actress, voice-over artist, former-model and author, best known for her roles in British television series Absolutely Fabulous portraying Edina Monsoon's best friend, Patsy Stone, as well as parts in The New Avengers, Sapphire & Steel, and Sensitive...
.
Theme song
The arty and refined opening and closing theme for Posh Nosh is taken from the traditional Scottish ballad "The Raggle Taggle GypsiesThe Gypsy Laddie
"The Gypsy Laddie" , also known as "Black Jack Davy" and "The Raggle Taggle Gypsies" among many other titles, is a Border ballad , possibly written about 1720 on the Scottish side of the border...
", in a 1950s recording by countertenor Alfred Deller
Alfred Deller
Alfred George Deller CBE , was an English singer and one of the main figures in popularizing the return of the countertenor voice in Renaissance and Baroque music during the 20th Century....
to guitar accompaniment by Desmond Dupré
Desmond Dupré
Desmond Dupré was an English lutenist and a prominent figure in the 20th century revival of early music...
. It uses the following verses from the ballad:
Opening theme:
What care I for my house and my land?
What care I for my treasure, O?
What care I for my new-wedded lord,
I’m off with the raggle taggle gipsies, O!
Closing theme:
What care I for a goose feather bed
With the sheet turned down so bravely, O?
For tonight I shall sleep in a cold open field,
[Faux promo for Posh Nosh range product inserted here]
Along with the raggle taggle gipsies, O!
Episodes
- Architect's Fish and Chips
- Birthday Parties
- Paella
- Beautiful Food
- Bread and Butter Pudding
- Leftovers
- Sauces
- Comfort Food
- Grilled Sole (unaired) http://www.angelfire.com/trek/amsguy/PoshNosh.html
External links
- Spoof's in the Pudding - an article from TV magazine
- Posh Nosh website Features various video clips and recipes.
- Posh Nosh information page Features a summary of information about the show.
