Heston Blumenthal talks about his events today at The Times Cheltenham Science Festival

2 months
3 weeks ago

Heston Blumenthal told us that he feels very fortunate to be invited to the festival as Guest Director this year. “It’s a great honour really, because I’ve been involved with the festival since the beginning…I just really enjoy it”, he said.

Talking about his events today, Blumenthal told us of the unusual things he has done at the festival in the past, such as putting ‘actives’ into food to alter people’s mood. Today is no exception. At the Sweet Shop event this evening, he will be presenting what he called an ‘animated concept’ and handing out some of his very own bags of sweets.

In Heston Blumenthal in Conversation with Harold McGee at 6.30pm, Blumenthal will be talking to a man who made him question everything in cooking and change his whole approach. According to Blumenthal, the publication of Harold McGee’s book was one of only a couple of defining moments in the chef’s life. And since then, the pair have become very good friends.

We’ve tagged this post with Conor Cahill, Harold McGee, Heston Blumenthal, interview, science, Sue Harris on Thursday 10 June 2010.

‘Not to miss’ events at the festival today

2 months
3 weeks ago

Heston Blumenthal returns to The Times Cheltenham Science Festival today (you can read my ’10 minutes with Heston Blumenthal’ from last year’s festival here). Blumenthal is an inspiration to us all when it comes to getting creative in the kitchen and showing us that science can be oh so much fun.

At 6.30pm, Blumenthal will be talking to Harold McGee — a man who heavily influenced and inspired his own work. Read Mark Miodownik’s blog post to find out what Harold McGee’s seminal cookbook On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen is all about.

The Times Cheltenham Science Festival
what’s on today | tomorrow | all science events

Continue reading... the new Minister of State for Universities and Science, David Willetts MP joins us...

We’ve tagged this post with Conor Cahill, David Willetts, Heston Blumenthal, science, Science Question Time, smoking, Sue Harris on Thursday 10 June 2010.

BAFTA nominees at Science Festival!

3 months ago

The nominations are in for this year’s British Academy of Film and TV awards — the full list is here — and THREE of our Science Festival guests are up for an award.

Continue reading about our BAFTA nominees...

We’ve tagged this post with BAFTA, Ben Miller, Harold McGee, Heston Blumenthal, Inside Nature’s Giants, Jim Al-Khalili, science on Thursday 3 June 2010.

Heston Blumenthal meets one of his greatest inspirations, Harold McGee, at the Science Festival

3 months
3 weeks ago

Heston Blumenthal meets one of his greatest inspirations, Harold McGee, at the Science Festival. Mark Miodownik, Head of the Materials Research Group at King’s College London’s Engineering Division, explains why this is a big deal…

From guest blogger Mark Miodownik:

I am not a violent man, except when it comes to food. Of the three physical fights I’ve had in my adult life two of them have occurred while cooking and the other one was in a park while I was reading a cook book. My brother came over early the other day at a particularly stressful moment in soufflé preparation and it took all my strength not to use the whisk for purposes it was not intended. It was only when he asked me why I was using a copper bowl to whisk the eggs when I saw the way to get him to sit down and shut up. “It’s a McGee trick”, I said “it helps stabilise the foam”. I pointed my egg white dripping whisk to the shelf of cook books in response to his quizzical look and said, “Harold McGee on Food and Cooking — An Encyclopaedia of Kitchen Science, History and Culture”. It had the desired effect, he picked up the book and was immediately absorbed and quiet, as is everyone who picks up the book, because it is unquestionably the most fascinating cook book of all time.

for me this is going to be unquestionably the most exciting event of the year

A lucky dip for Science 2010, five events not to be missed!

4 months
3 weeks ago

From Sharon Bishop
Science Festival Executive Director

“Science really is for everyone, no matter what your knowledge or expertise”

Brian Cox, Guest Director

The most rewarding experiences are often the ones that, like science, embrace a spirit of adventure, helping you to forge a path into the unknown, discover magnificent things and open your mind.

Surprise yourself

Choosing to go to an event on a topic that you know nothing about is hazardous, but liberating: you’re risking a few pounds and an hour or so of your time, but the rewards can be inspiring and exhilarating. I’ve lost count of the people who’ve said that they thought the science would be too complicated, or they only came to an event because somebody else wanted to, but have found themselves impressed and invigorated by inspiring speakers and new ideas.

and the five events…

So join us on a great adventure! You won’t be disappointed. Over the next few weeks I’ll highlight a few events, and I encourage you to try something different… and then tell us what you thought of it!

…continue reading →

We’ve tagged this post with Ben Miller, Brian Cox, channel 4, Charles Pannenborg, decadence, Erica Wagner, Graham Farmelo, Harold McGee, Henrietta Lacks, Heston Blumenthal, Paul Davies, Paul Dirac, Rebecca Skloot, science, Sharon Bishop, superbugs, The Times on Friday 9 April 2010.

Science events on sale!

5 months
1 week ago

buy tickets | browse the brochure

We’ve tagged this post with Alice Roberts, Bill Bryson, Brian Cox, Heston Blumenthal, Robert Winston, science on Monday 29 March 2010.

Science brochure online — FIVE reasons to become a member

5 months
2 weeks ago

There are still a few days to go before events go on sale, but you can enjoy a sneak preview and view the brochure online.

Priority booking from 22–28 March
Save 20% at your choice of ten science events
Members-only session at the Discover Zone — escape the crowds
Members’ book group with Robert Winston
Over 100 inspiring events including Brian Cox’s Wonders of the Solar System, Bill Bryson’s 350 years of the Royal Society and Heston Blumenthal’s Sweet Shop

Save at Jazz, Music and Literature too

Membership starts from £15 and is available for individuals, couples and families, find out more and join today (terms and conditions apply).

We’ve tagged this post with Bill Bryson, Brian Cox, Heston Blumenthal, membership, science on Friday 19 March 2010.

Science Festival — become a member and be first to book

5 months
3 weeks ago

Members can book from 22 March

Cheltenham Festivals members get to book their science festival tickets a whole week in advance and save 20% on their choice of ten events at June’s science festival. Five days packed with exciting experiments, inspiring intrigue and spectacular science, more on membership/join online.

Tickets for the UK’s leading science festival go on sale exclusively to Cheltenham Festivals members on Monday 22 – Sunday 28 March, as we prepare to welcome the country’s leading thinkers and personalities to a feast of debate and delight.

Heston Blumenthal and Brian Cox

Cheltenham Festivals Members will be the first to hear the full decadence themed line-up, led by our two Guest Directors, Fat Duck proprietor and culinary alchemist Heston Blumenthal and Brian Cox, presenter of BBC Two’s fantastic new show, Wonders of the Solar System.

Members will also have the opportunity to book for a very special Members’ Book Club with festival favourite Robert Winston and take part in a lively discussion of his latest book Bad Ideas?, uncovering the fascinating stories behind our inventions, and debating with the author whether they’re a blessing or a curse.

Priority booking and discounts

Membership starts from just £15, and members enjoy priority booking, savings and exclusive events at the Jazz, Science, Music and Literature Festivals throughout 2010.

be the first to know who’s coming
book ahead to sell out events
save £££s at every festival

Join the Membership Scheme by Thursday, 18 March to guarantee your early copy of The Times Cheltenham Science Festival 2010 brochure and be the first to book.

We’ve tagged this post with Brian Cox, Heston Blumenthal, membership, science on Thursday 11 March 2010.

Announcing… Brian Cox

7 months ago

Cheltenham Science Festival welcomes two Guest Directors

Professor of Particle Physics, BBC science specialist and one-time top 10 rock star, Brian Cox has made time in his busy schedule to take on the role of Guest Director at The Times Cheltenham Science Festival 2010. We are thrilled to work with him, to pick his incredible brain and programme some truly diverse and must-see events for you at this year’s Festival.

…continue reading →

We’ve tagged this post with Brian Cox, guest director, Heston Blumenthal, science on Thursday 4 February 2010.

Heston Blumenthal announced as Guest Director for Science 2010!

8 months
2 weeks ago

We have been very busy at Festival HQ making plans for The Times Cheltenham Science Festival 2010. We are delighted to announce that Chef and TV personality Heston Blumenthal will be joining next year’s line up — as Guest Director! Famous for his eccentric dishes including snail porridge and parsnip cereal, the culinary alchemist will be programming some truly unique festival events.

His dedication and research into exploring the science of food and discovering innovative styles of cooking has earned him international success. His restaurant, The Fat Duck in Bray has won numerous awards, and in 2006 he was awarded an OBE for his contribution to British Gastronomy.

Heston is a huge supporter of The Times Cheltenham Science Festival and has made four appearances since the Science Festival was born eight years ago. Watch this space — we’ll be announcing more news about his Guest Director role very soon.

We’ve tagged this post with guest director, Heston Blumenthal, science on Thursday 17 December 2009.

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