The kitchen of a medieval castle was a vital part of castle life, responsible for feeding not only the lord and lady of the castle, but also their guests, soldiers, and staff. The kitchen was a busy place, with a team of cooks and kitchen staff working to prepare meals for the entire castle population. In this article, we will take a closer look at the food, people, and the great hall that made up the medieval castle kitchen.
Medieval Castle Kitchen Food
The food of a medieval castle was heavily influenced by the local area and the season. In the spring and summer, the kitchen would have been filled with fresh fruits and vegetables such as apples, plums, and beans. In the fall and winter, the kitchen would have been filled with preserved foods such as pickled vegetables, salted meats, and dried fruits.
Meat was a staple in the medieval castle diet, with beef, pork, and mutton being the most common. Fish was also a popular food, especially for those who lived near the coast. The lord and lady of the castle would have enjoyed a more varied diet than the rest of the castle population, with delicacies such as venison, peacock, and swan being served at their meals.
The kitchen staff would have used a variety of cooking techniques, including roasting, boiling, and baking. Meals were often served with bread and ale, and the lord and lady of the castle would have also enjoyed wine with their meals.
Medieval Kitchen People
The kitchen of a medieval castle was run by a team of people, which had different roles.
Head Cook
The kitchen of a medieval castle was run by a team of people, led by the head cook, also known as the “chief cook” or the “master cook”. The head cook was responsible for supervising the other kitchen staff, planning menus, and ensuring that the food was prepared to the highest standard.
The head cook was often an experienced and skilled cook, who had worked their way up through the ranks.
Assistant Cooks
In addition to the head cook, there would have been a team of assistant cooks who worked in the kitchen. These individuals would have assisted the head cook in preparing meals and ensuring that the food was of high quality. They would have also been responsible for specific tasks such as preparing meat, vegetables, and sauces.
Scullions
The kitchen also employed scullions, or kitchen assistants, who were responsible for the more menial tasks in the kitchen. These tasks included cleaning dishes, preparing ingredients, and keeping the kitchen clean. Scullions were often young and inexperienced, and would have been trained by the head cook and assistant cooks.
Spit-Turners
Another important role in the medieval castle kitchen was that of the spit-turners. These individuals were responsible for turning the meat over the fire while it was being cooked. They would have used a large metal spit, which was turned by hand or by a mechanical device, to ensure that the meat was cooked evenly.
Pastry Chef
In larger castles, there may have been a pastry chef who was responsible for making sweet treats such as cakes, pastries and desserts. Pastry chefs were skilled in baking and had knowledge of various ingredients to make different types of desserts. They would have been responsible for creating sweet treats for special occasions such as feasts and banquets.
The Great Hall
The great hall was the main dining room of a medieval castle, and it was where the lord and lady of the castle would have taken their meals. The great hall was often a large and impressive room, with a fireplace and a long table for the lord and lady of the castle and their guests to sit at.
The great hall was also where the lord and lady of the castle would have entertained guests, and where important events such as feasts and banquets would have been held.
The great hall would have been served by a team of servers, who would have brought the food from the kitchen to the great hall. The servers would have been responsible for serving the food and drink, and for clearing away the dishes after the meal.
Conclusion
The medieval castle kitchen was a vital part of castle life, responsible for feeding not only the lord and lady of the castle, but also their guests, soldiers, and staff. The food was heavily influenced by the local area and the season, with meat being a staple in the diet. The kitchen was run by a team of people, led by the head cook, and the great hall was the main dining room where the lord and lady of the castle would have taken their meals and entertained guests. The medieval castle kitchen was a busy and important part of castle life.