Former chef Zena Leech-Calton has launched a new food tour in Norwich city centre: and this time it’s inspired by the ration book. Following on from a successful trial at the end of last month, Zena explains why this is her favourite chapter in history
Can you remind readers who you are and what you do?
I’m Zena a local food writer, accidental blogger and cookery teacher. As an ex-chef I know my onions and love to share them with the fine folk of Norwich and beyond.
We last featured you in March 2024, in the run-up to the Food & Drink Festival at Epic Studios in Norwich – what have you been up to since then?
I’ve been getting older, creakier and a lot more opinionated. Running Lodge Farm Holiday Barns keeps me busy and the writing / blogging fills in all the gaps. I’ve helped voluntary with a few local events and fundraisers for The Feed and, occasionally, I do some community teaching in their Hall Road kitchen. But most of the time these days you can find me eating and trying to avoid cooking.
What’s happening with the new Ration Book Food Tour?
I’m super excited to bring a new food tour to Norwich; something more interactive, something more history led but always with food in mind and supporting local independents. The Ration Book Food Tour is based in 1942: eat like it’s 1942 with a blitz of history. It’s full of nostalgia, interesting facts and amazing stories. And if people think they’re gonna go away hungry, they need to bear in mind that nobody died of malnutrition in 1942 but in 2022 a lot did. It’s just about balance and filling up with a little bit of wartime stodge – but in a tasty way – and finish with a proper cup of tea.
What’s the thinking behind it and what can people expect on the day?
My tours are always informal, but this one’s a little different in the style I am approaching it: there are props, there are sounds and there are a whole host of fascinating facts, like what happened on the second floor of Jarrolds; what fateful end did JFK‘s older brother have in Norfolk plus there will be newspaper around your fish and chips.
It is my favourite chapter in history, so I have thoroughly enjoyed all my research and making up an old book of surprises on the way. But I also wanted to put on a cheaper Food Tour with lower costs so more people can enjoy them like the many tourists that come to Norwich. And this has fitted perfectly right down to the last Rolo.
Any other food tour ideas up your sleeve?
I would love to do a silent 80s disco around the city while stopping for food and drink but that’s gonna take a lot of money organisation and effort but it would be great for a festival. And I am hoping to maybe deliver mini samples of the Ration Tour for local festivals in Norwich. Who can I talk to?
Where can people find out more?
All the information is on my website lovenorwichfood.co.uk and you can follow me on Instagram (@love_norwich_food), where you will find my contacts. Grab some friends, dress up if you fancy and enjoy all your senses being tantalised.
For more information about the new two-hour, guided Ration Book Food Tour visit Love Norwich Food.
Featured image of Zena Leech-Calton – supplied
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