Food and travel writer, MasterChef UK judge and Telegraph restaurant critic William Sitwell is the great nephew of the flamboyant poet Dame Edith Sitwell. He delivers an entertaining talk about his eccentric English forebears, including his Edwardian great-grandparents – Sir George, who ate roast chicken exclusively and invented a revolver for shooting wasps, and Lady Ida, who was imprisoned for fraud in 1915. Their children were the celebrated literary trio Edith, Osbert and Sacheverell Sitwell, who as writers, patrons and influencers had an indelible impact on the development of British art. He shares anecdotes and quotes from works and poems in a riproaring ride through the lives of rebellious aristocracy in the early 20th century.

Supported by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited.