FANCY sampling some of the foods our Ellesmere Port forefathers may have enjoyed?

Chef Robert Owen Brown will be cooking up historical treats from the time of the Industrial Revolution, including pickled tripe and pig’s head brawn, at the National Waterways Museum on Sunday.

The three 45-minute demonstrations are inspired by the recently published A Taste of Modern History recipe book, which features dishes that would have filled the bellies of the mill workers, engineers and gentry who changed world history.

The recipes have been contributed by the North West’s finest industrial heritage attractions, and the National Waterways Museum is represented by rabbit stew, a popular dish with the boat families.

Oliver Briscoe, marketing manager at the museum, said:Š “Choosing just one recipe to represent the museum was quite a daunting task, but we felt that the stew was probably the most representative as it would have been a staple of the early canal workers, who would have had little money and even less space, on their cramped barges, in which to prepare their meals.

“We are really excited about having a chef of Robert’s calibre coming down to cook for us.ŠThe afternoon promises to be a real treat and, as well as picking up some tips from one of the region’s finest chefs, there’ll be the chance to sample the dishes and learn some fascinating facts about the foods that were popular all those years ago.”

The demonstrations will take place from 2pm in the Old Café in The Island Warehouse, and visitors will also have the chance to explore the rest of the museum with its unique collection of historic boats and archives that tell the story of Britain’s canals and waterways.

Entrance is £6 for adults and £4 for children over five.

For further information, or to receive a free copy of A Taste of Modern History, a 24-page recipe book packed with traditional North West recipes, visit www.modernhistory.co.uk/taste or send your name and address details on a postcard to: A Taste of Modern History, Brochurelink, Unit 1, Ocean Park, Dock Road, Birkenhead, CH41 1HW.