Romance & Revenge, History of Aphrodisiacs & Poisons

Full Course Name:
Masters of Social Gastronomy: Romance and Revenge, the History of Aphrodisiacs and Poisons

Every culture has a long history of aphrodisiacs – love-inducing and libido-promoting foods, ranging from the commonplace to the esoteric. Is chocolate the rightful king of Valentines Day, or could we do better with a tiger’s unmentionables? Let’s trace the history of these foxy foods and see what science has to say about their amorous assertions.

First comes loves, then comes marriage, then comes a little bit of rat poison in their coffee cup. When love goes wrong, out comes the Victorian obsession with female poisoners: delicate and seductive, these ladies made headlines in the age of yellow journalism for offing their lovers with poisoned food. Come hear their stories and... hey, does this taste like almonds to you?

This event is mixed seated and standing room. Seats are first-come, first-served.