A long forgotten medieval dairy pie will be tasted in the City of London for the first time in centuries as part of a celebration of Jewish culture.
The dish, known as floden, will be cooked up from an ancient recipe during Milk, Memory and Cheesecake – organised by the Jewish Square Mile Foundation and Shoreditch Trust, running at The Aldgate Centre on Friday, May 22.
Supported by funding from the City of London Corporation’s Stronger Communities Fund, it is one of a series of activities being held in and around the Square Mile to mark Jewish Culture Month in the City.
Howard Morris, chair of the Jewish Square Mile Foundation, said:
“Floden is a rare and evocative part of medieval Jewish food culture which, as far as we know, hasn’t been tasted for centuries. We’re really excited about bringing it back and offering a glimpse into the lives of the City’s early Jewish residents.
“We hope that tasting this dish, along with the other events we’re running during Jewish Culture Month, will spark curiosity about the people who once called the Square Mile home.”
Floden is thought to be an early type of Ashkenazi Jewish pie linked to the German word Fladen, meaning flatbread or pie. Related recipes appear in Jewish food traditions from the early Middle Ages, often using simple fillings such as fruit, cheese or honey.
People attending the event will explore mediaeval Jewish food traditions with food historian Dr Maria Diemling, decorate cheesecake from Rinkoff’s Bakery and try the recreated pie.
Chris Hayward, Policy Chairman at the City of London Corporation, said:
“These events will bring to life the deep and often overlooked Jewish history of the City of London, helping more people understand the Square Mile’s diverse heritage and the communities who shaped it over many centuries.
“Supporting this programme reflects our commitment to celebrating culture and strengthening connections between people and the places they live and work.”
The Aldgate Centre event is part of a wider series of events highlighting Jewish life in the City, including an exhibition at The London Archives – Revealing The Medieval Jewish Cemetery – looking at the history and enduring myths of the lost burial ground beneath the Square Mile.
The exhibition runs until June 15 and is accompanied by walking tours on Thursday, June 11 and Sunday, June 14. More information is available at www.thejewishsquaremile.org/events
The City Jewish Network, part of the City Corporation’s City Belonging Project, brings together Jewish representatives from workplaces across the Square Mile to build connection, support allyship and strengthen participation in City life. More information is at https://belongingproject.city/jewish
