The Sweet Makers - Season 1

Guided by food historian Dr Annie Gray and social historian Emma Dabiri, our modern professionals enter the world of the 16th century confectioner - a time when sugar was believed to have medicinal qualities and was so valuable it was kept under lock and key, the preserve of the elite. Every dish the team makes will form part of an elaborate aristocratic sugar banquet.

Four modern confectioners use original recipes, equipment and ingredients to recreate the extravagant displays of a Georgian confectionery shop. In this episode they learn how a dessert course was put together and discovering how our national lust for sugar changed Britain forever.

Four modern confectioners use original recipes to recreate a Victorian sweet shop and discover how the quest to satisfy our national sweet tooth transformed Britain.

Guided by food historian Dr Annie Gray and social historian Emma Dabiri our 21st century sweet makers are in Blists Hill, Shropshire to experience first-hand the life of confectioners in late 19th and early 20th century England - a time when cheap sugar meant sweets for every class in society for the first time. Children finally get their hands on chocolate, and the modern brands that we still know and love today are dreamt up.