{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"104. Loyd Grossman CBE; 1960s New York, Ecclesiastical Sock Makers and How Food Completes Travel","description":"Loyd Grossman, entrepreneur, author and broadcaster is well-known for presenting MasterChef, Through the Keyhole and much more. His lifelong passion for history and the arts has led to leading roles in cultural institutions from English Heritage, to The Arts Society, the Royal Parks and the Royal Historical Society and several impeccably researched books. Loyd and Lisa talk food \u2013 as you\u2019d expect from the man behind one of the UK\u2019s most successful celebrity sauces, growing up in a US seaside haven, hippy days in late 60s New York, playing with Jethro Tull and how an elephant in Rome led to his new book about one of Europe\u2019s greatest artists.   On this episode we cover:   The curious elephant statue in Rome that piqued his interest His new book An Elephant in Rome: Bernini, The Pope and The Making of the Eternal City Bernini a contemporary of Rembrandt, Reubens, Velazquez The most famous artist in Europe in his lifetime Usually concentrating on 18th century historical research So finding going back to the 17h century quite challenging Always wanting to be learning something Nuns on motorbikes eating ice creams \u2018Ecclesiastical socks\u2019 made by the Pope\u2019s tailor Growing up in Boston and we would visit New York at least twice a year Rome being a \u2018tossed salad\u2019 of history Being hooked on Roman ice cream The rather confusing Italian breastfeeding wolves statues (about the infants Romulus and Remus) His commercial TV work being what he is well known for Feeling lucky he has had a portfolio career Growing up with a strong public service ethos Arriving in the UK in 1974 Growing up in the sailing town of Marblehead \u2018one of the most beautiful towns in America Having a very typical seaside New England upbringing Boston and its amazing culture  Being involved in a big music scene Playing at Glastonbury (8 times, no less) Teaming up with Jethro Tull to raise money for British cathedrals His low-key, understate, musical parents Taking his first plane trip at 3 months old Regular trips on the Yankee Clipper train to New York as a child The excitement of arriving at Grand Central Station Difference; travel, interacting with different people and backgrounds, being really important for him Catching amazing bands like the Velvet Underground Longhaired and covered in tie-dye Finding the UK an exceptional and exciting place Feeling London is the greatest city in the world But that it also can overshadow other cities Liverpool\u2019s cultural, musical and sporting history Food and travel and culture going hand in hand Catch 22 author Joseph Heller \u2018perpetually hungry from the neck up\u2019 \u2018The most intense experience of another country is eating their food they eat\u2019 Always wanting to arrive in a country in time for lunch Loving the rustic food and quality of produce in Spain The best Swedish food in Stockholm London\u2019s Royal Parks being the greatest collection of parks in the world Greenwich Park being established in 1433 Originally hunting grounds for the Royal Family Travelling to experience the different thing Cuban refugee musicians on 1950s Miami Beach ","author_name":"The Big Travel Podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/www.thebigtravelpodcast.com","html":"