Testimonials

Thank you for a delightful tea party and talk. You may know I am volunteer at Dr Johnson’s House. It is lovely to see it in use.
Philippa Jill Manasseh (Dr Johnson's House - September 2023)

'We had a fabulous evening with the Georgian Dining Academy. Miss B and Kitty Pridden had a clear vision for the evening and executed it beautifully, creating a welcoming and fun atmosphere in our historic spaces and dazzling us with their dress and knowledge of Georgian food and culture. This was a unique and memorable evening for our visitors, and we will definitely be inviting them back for future events.' Nerissa Taysom (she/her) Public Programmes The Foundling Museum (December, 2021)

'Our fundraising event at Black's Members Club in Soho run by Miss B and Miss Kitty, of the Georgian Dining Academy was delightfully decadent and invoked the spirit of the 18thC with style and verve! A wonderful evening of magic, music, wine and wit!'
Tony Shrimplin | Chair - mosoho (June 2019)

I had long been an admirer of The Georgian Dining Academy ladies so was thrilled to be able to incorporate them into an evening of entertainment I was organising for a Christmas Party for the Martin Kemp Design company in our Georgian venue. They went down a storm- wonderfully witty, engaging and beautifully attired. The audience were enthralled by their anecdotes, humorous banter and games. I would heartily recommend them to enliven any event.
Alix Bateman, Glebe House (December 2018)

"Miss B and Miss Kitty have managed to capture the feeling of conviviality that was such a
feature of Georgian society, accompanied by delicious food, music and laughter."
Margaret Willes, Historian (October, 2019)

RA Lates June 2018 - Summer Exhibition - Pleasure Gardens

Thanks so much for your beautiful Georgian after dinner party – it looked wonderful and I heard lots of positive feedback about your games and musicians!
Imogen Willetts, Lates and Special Events Creative Programmer, Royal Academy of Arts

The fabulous Miss B and Kitty Pridden visited Hatchlands Park near Guildford this summer to help us celebrate the life and achievements of Frances Boscawen and the Bluestocking Society. The ladies of the Georgian Dining Academy have truly immersed themselves in Georgian culture and fully embodied the roles of two fine Georgian women but in a way that was perfectly accessible to our visitors – knowledgeable and informative without being off-putting or overbearing. The level of planning, preparation and promotion that they put into their visit was very impressive. Visitors young and old were delighted to meet them and hear more about life as a Georgian woman, and we were thrilled to have them here. We look forward to working with them again in the future.
Mark Harvey, Senior House Steward, Hatchlands Park (June & July 2018)

"It gives me great delight to say that the Georgian Dining Academy have been a corner stone in our Evening Events calendar for years here at Simpsons Tavern. Every event is different, but all start with a warming glass of Punch and then head through to a Candle lit dining room where the warmth and charm of the hosts breathe life into the historic building. Each event has been more successful than the last and the Ladies great ambassadors for our venue. We look forward to hosting them long into the future." Benjamin Duggen, Manager, Simpson's Tavern 9th April 2018

A lovely quote from Ben Duggan Esq., Manager at Simpson's Tavern, when arranging our dates for 2018.

"... given the choice, I would have you here every week and twice on Tuesday."

Photograph (C) Paul Davey

“It was fantastic to hear this beautiful (dare I say, iconic) music in circumstances comparable to that experienced by King George I, 300 years to the day that it was first performed.
The Georgian Dining Academy added so much to the experience, and they really warranted a vote of thanks for their considerable effort to come in costume on such a warm evening.
I particularly enjoyed the final musical sequence, as I was standing behind the principal trumpet and able to listen really close up to his superb playing.
These original brass instruments must be fiendish to play, and he made light of it.”
Jeffrey C – Guest - Handel House/WW300 17.7.17.

Tina and Kitty are an ambitious and unflappable duo. They use their amazing vision to animate the dullest of spaces, to create amazing experiences for visitors.

Seduction Late at the National Martime Museum - 14th February 2017
Katherine McAlpine - Public Programmes Producer, Royal Museums Greenwich

"We recently spent an evening with the Georgian Dining Academy for their Yule Tide Masquerade Supper. The venue was Simpson's Tavern, the date the first of december and the company assembled in Georgian dress. The lane to the tavern was lit by torches and as we passed the tavern, the windows glowed with scenes of merriment. It truly felt like stepping back in time. Dressed in Georgian court wear and venetian masks we were greeted with glasses of punch and mingled with the guests. The three course meal was truly excellent and as a group we sampled all aspects of the menu and found everything delicious. Throughout the meal we were regaled with recitals and music and felt we'd had an incredible and very memorable authentic Georgian Dining experience. We definitely hope to return and recommend that if you have one experience this year-make it a Georgian dining one!" Guest Emma R - December 2016 -

TO DINE v.a. [‘diner’, French]

To give a dinner; to feed.

“Thus, of your heroes and brave boys,
With whom old Homer makes such noise,
The greatest actions I can find,
Are, that they did their work, and DIN’D”
Prior

The Georgian Dining Academy helped us to celebrate Samuel Johnson’s (307th!) birthday in style by hosting a spectacular supper in his former Withdrawing Room, here in Gough Square. A suitably convivial time was had by all, and we diners ‘had our talk out’ in true Johnsonian fashion (aided by free-flowing port and all). Miss Kitty Pridden and Miss Baxter dazzled and entertained us all by being the perfect hostesses and by sharing their insightful musings on the period and Johnson’s life and works, and our guest of honour, the historian Catherine Curzon, regaled us with tales of Johnson in a rather more regal setting, in George III’s own library. To have the House full of laughter and debate, surrounded by gentlemen and ladies beautifully attired in period costume, was a unique occasion and made for an unforgettable birthday party. Here’s to turning ‘308’!

Celine Luppo McDaid, Donald Hyde Curator at Dr Johnson's House, London EC4A 3DE (September 2016)

"Run by the excellent Miss B and Miss Kitty, a wonderfully entertaining and atmospheric evening involving great food, excellent drink and usually one or two very short history talks. Often there is music and singing. Relaxing and friendly, it’s a fine night out and I recommend it unreservedly." Mike Paterson, Director, London Historians (August 2016)

"The Georgian Dining Academy offers delightful events. Bringing them to Oxford this summer was a great way to share their special combination of wonderful conversation, good food, and convivial surroundings. A grand time was had by all. " Queen's College - August 2016
Sheila T. Cavanagh, PhD
Professor of English, Emory University
Fulbright/Global Shakespeare Centre Distinguished Chair, 2015-2016

"These evenings are the perfect mix of good food, wine, historical info and genuine Georgian merriment. I have been to several, learnt a lot and had enormous fun - I would thoroughly recommend them."
Niki G, Photographer (2015)

"The Georgian Dining Academy blended great food and great company with a flair for lively historical interpretation, delivering an extraordinary experience that was enjoyed by every one of our guests. Miss Kitty Pridden and Miss Baxter held the evening together as the perfect hosts - knowledgeable, attentive and witty. The event was one of a kind and unlike anything else going on in London."
Howard Coase, The Cartoon Museum. November 2015

''A unique and thoroughly enjoyable evening to soak up a wonderful period experience - the drink, food and ambiance all combined to great effect." Keith B, Councilman, City of London (2015)

Tributes to our Achievements