FOOD fans set their taste buds for time travel and savoured the flavours of the past at a free event in York city centre.

A team of experts prepared the food of our forefathers – from the culinary delights of the Roman Empire to Victorian workhouse soup – as part of the York Festival Of Food & Drink, in Parliament Street, on Saturday.

Passers-by were given the chance to try an authentic taste of the past, which also looked at grub from the prehistoric and medieval eras, at the Time Travellers event organised by York Museums Trust, Craven Museum And Gallery, Wakefield Museums Service and North Yorkshire County Records Office.

Partnership co-ordinator Dave Evans said: “The history of food is a fascinating subject, and what better way to bring it to life than by actually letting people try it? We served up a whole selection of dishes prepared and cooked just like they would have been in our ancestors’ day.

“It’s a great way to learn more about their daily lives – and the good news is they taste great.”

The event also saw York Castle Museum looking at the best way to use up autumn fruit crops and a chef preparing a dish based on the ingredients of a still life exhibit at York Art Gallery.