Aside form the fabulous clothes and exciting new technologies like motor cars and aeroplanes, the Edwardian period (1901-1910) was considered a golden age for the arts, literature, culture and (perhaps most importantly) cuisine. King Edward VII loved to travel and loved to eat... a lot. He was a big guy who favored continental cuisine, especially French. The foodie king was largely responsible for the culture of dining out that metropolitans take for granted today.

BBC4's new program The Edwardians - The Birth Of Now "investigates, interrogates and celebrates the richness and excitement of this pioneering and world-changing time."

The most talked about episode is Edwardian Supersize Me, in which restaurant critic Giles Coren and comedian Sue Perkins eat as early 20th century well-to-do Londoners for an entire week. What is on the menu?

Porridge, sardines, curried eggs, grilled cutlets, coffee, hot chocolate, bread, butter, honey for breakfast (with Cuban cigars, of course)... oysters, foie gras terrine, roast cod with asparagus, mutton hotpot, pink Yorkshire rhubarb and clotted cream for lunch at Covent Garden... afternoon tea with fruit cake, Madeira cake, cakes and more cakes... picnics of lobster and foie gras on Hampstead Heath... and for dinner, you'll have to read on.

After the filming of the episode, Coren's doctor was less than amused with his spiked cholesterol, dangerous signs of dehydration (due to taking in considerably more alcohol than water) and 10% gain in body fat (though he only gained one pound,) and estimated that if he continued on this diet, Coren (37) would do well to live 'til 42.

Whatever. Sign me up!

Also see: 60 Things Worth Shortening Your Life For

[Thanks Adam at BFW Local 734]