It is more than 200 years since it enjoyed its heyday, but a food historian is today preparing to revive the famous Ipswich Pudding.

The sugar and almond-filled sweet, which food writer Don Quinn has described as “delightful”, was most popular at the beginning of the 19th Century, just after the wars with France.

Mr Quinn was spurred on in his vision for the dessert by the successful resurgence of the Colchester Pudding, which was spearheaded by himself, Jimmy Doherty and Jamie Oliver.

He is hopeful our town’s equivalent will enjoy a similarly successful comeback.

“It’s a very ancient recipe,” said Mr Quinn, who also produces food and drink festivals.

“The primary ingredient is almonds, which gives us an idea of how old it is because it was used as a thickener.

“It’s absolutely delightful.

“We revived the Colchester pudding, myself, Jimmy and Jamie Oliver. We are hoping to do something similar with the Ipswich Pudding and make that famous as well.”

The use of almonds as a thickener is a practice which dates back to the Medieval period. The Ipswich Pudding also includes ingredients such as double cream, fresh white breadcrumbs, eggs and butter.

Mr Quinn said that the aim is to revive it for a food and drink feast at Jimmy’s Farm, in Wherstead, from May 24-26 and members of the public are invited to send in their old recipes or ideas on improving the Ipswich Pudding to them.

He added: “I have a passion for reviving old recipes because I think some of them are superb. We have some wonderful recipes in Britain. We are given the impression we are not good at cookery but we really are the tops.”

For more information, or if you would like to send in some old recipes, visit www.foodanddrinkfestivalsuk.co.uk