Food Unwrapped

In Lincolnshire, Kate Quilton investigates whether shallots are simply small onions, examining their characteristics and culinary role. She then travels to a local potato farm in the area to uncover the factors that make baking potatoes more expensive for consumers than other varieties.

The episode follows presenter Kate Quilton as she heads to the English county of Lincolnshire. Set against the region’s flat, agricultural landscape, the programme aims to uncover the everyday mysteries that surround the food we eat. It’s a straightforward, on‑the‑ground investigation that keeps the focus firmly on the subjects at hand. In this instalment, Quilton tackles two seemingly simple questions. First, she probes whether the shallot is merely a tiny onion, testing the common belief by comparing the two. Next, she makes her way to a local potato farm, looking for the underlying factors that cause baked potatoes to be priced higher than expected. The journey takes her through fields and farm buildings, where she observes the produce and asks the people involved for clues. By keeping the enquiry centred on the physical characteristics of the shallot and the economics of the potato, the programme offers a clear view of how these staples differ. Throughout, Quilton’s approach stays practical, avoiding speculation and focusing on tangible evidence. The episode’s structure—first the shallot investigation, then the potato price enquiry—provides a tidy narrative that guides viewers from one food curiosity to the next, all within the familiar backdrop of Lincolnshire’s countryside.