Cake and custard, plastic trays and a lingering sense of resentment at the demise of Turkey Twizzlers, famously lost to TV chef Jamie Oliver’s Feed Me Better campaign. For anyone who grew up in the UK, few things summon a sense of nostalgia quite like memories of school dinners.
And now, at the Food Museum in Suffolk, anyone wanting to truly relive the experience can do so with the aptly titled School Dinners exhibition. A statement from the organisers says the exhibition will explore topics ranging from the influence of notorious meals on popular culture to changes in government policies. There’s even a promise of free tasters inspired by authentic, historical menus—although a message on the museum’s website warns they may “provoke delight or disgust, depending on your memories of school food”.
Those visiting the exhibition in groups can take the experience further still by ordering a “specially curated” two-course meal, featuring classic dishes like jam roly poly, rectangular pizza with chips and sweetcorn, and spam fritters. This offer may be primarily aimed at those still of school age, but for the entirely reasonable price of £16.50 per person, it seems likely to be a hit with adult visitors too.
Further highlights from the show include vintage lunch boxes, signed artwork from the TV series Grange Hill—set in the eponymous comprehensive school—and “bespoke content” from Jamie Oliver. How well this content will be received by generations of slighted Turkey Twizzler lovers, however, remains to be seen.
- School Dinners, Food Museum, Suffolk, until 21 February 2027
