Fortnum & Mason in London

Sep 18, 2017

Photo: Elisa.rolle

When you come to England to study English in London you must try the legendary full English breakfast of bacon, egg, sausage, black pudding, tomatoes and Heinz baked beans.

It was 130 years ago that the, now ubiquitous, baked beans were introduced by London’s most famous grocers, Fortnum and Mason. Charles Fortnum was a footman for George III, the King featured in the film 'The Madness of King George'. When Charles retired he used his knowledge of the Royal household to setup a grocery shop at 181 Piccadilly, W1 in the 1770s. His partner John Mason set up Mason’s Stables to house the horses used for the deliveries.  In 1886, an American, Mr Heinz called into the shop and persuaded the partners to stock canned food. However, today you will be lucky to find a tin of baked beans among the exotic foods sold. But they still sell their famous ready-prepared hampers which range from under £30 to nearly £700.

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