The University of Aberdeen’s King’s Museum will be transformed into a traditional tearoom for the day as part of an exhibition which aims to open our eyes to our relationship with food.

‘Food Stories’ is currently running at the museum on the High Street, Old Aberdeen, and explores the influences behind the food choices we make.

The exhibition is a collaboration between the museum and the University of Aberdeen Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health.

On Saturday, November 10, it will resemble a Traditional Tearoom, with nostalgic crockery and embroidered tablecloths, creating a relaxing setting designed to stimulate conversation. The content for dialogue will be around identifying the influences of `What do you put on your plate?’, both literally and metaphorically.  Saturday’s ‘Tearoom’ is a special one-off event run in collaboration with  Merlyn Riggs, an Aberdeenshire based  artist specialising in social engagement.

Running between 2pm and 4pm, the ‘What do you put on your plate’ drop-in session will offer participants traditional afternoon tea and give them the opportunity to join in conversation, handicraft and browse through collected texts.

Dr Sue Bird, Communications Manager for the Rowett Institute, said: “We know there are a huge range of factors which influence our eating behaviour and that food choices can change when our stress levels or social settings are altered.

“There is considerable scientific research underway at the Rowett Institute exploring these factors and this session is designed to help visitors to think about what influences their own choices.

“The aim of Merlyn’s practice is to get people to realise how we live our lives through the everyday choices that we make by creating social  contexts which encourage participants to express their thoughts.”

Participants will have an opportunity to create their own artwork by expressing their thoughts in a creative way on plates. The ideas put forward will then be collated and used in continuing work on food choices.

The event is free of charge and booking is not required. For more information visit www.abdn.ac.uk/library/news-events/events/1797/