The vast majority of British pub food wouldn't be possible without five hundred years of migration, trade and, yes, interaction with other races.
Potatoes, that absolute standard? They arrived in England only at the end of the 16th century from the New World It took decades for them to become a trusted staple - Europeans, including Britons, thought them poisonous. 
You could theoretically make a passable gravy without ingredients available outside the British Isles - you have sage, butter and beef stock - but anything tastier than that would require interaction with spice markets bringing in ingredients from far beyond the Continent.
Carrots have been around these parts for thousands of years, but they looked a hell of a lot different, and much more unappetising.
Some say carrots were bred to become larger and bright orange during the Dutch Golden Age, to honour William of Orange.
Some say carrots were bred to become larger and bright orange during the Dutch Golden Age, to honour William of Orange.
No tomatoes in your full English. They came from the New World, again in the 16th century. Again, people in Northern Europe thought they were poisonous. It took the Spanish & Italians emigrating to make them accepted.
Your Ploughman's Lunch is gonna look a bit shit without a little pot of chutney.
Chutney, and other spicy pickle relishes were brought back from India during the Raj by servicemen & Indians migrating in the 20th century.
Chutney, and other spicy pickle relishes were brought back from India during the Raj by servicemen & Indians migrating in the 20th century.
Fish & Chips first sold in London, it's been decided, but only due to an Ashkenazi Jew, Joseph Malin. Needless to say, he was a migrant in the mid 19th century.
Hell, your beloved gammon is going to taste uninspired, lifeless, and stale without a pineapple ring. You can thank the New World for them too. For a long time, they were status symbols & featured in baroque art.
Also, if you honestly think your good, solid British pub food is cooked by doughy, rosy-cheeked Britons, I hate to break it to you, but much of the hospitality industry in the UK is enabled by migrants from all over the globe.
So stop being a racist berk, @johnlambton97, and try something new occasionally. You might find a little more joy in your miserable existence!
PS. It's quite possible to make delicious food with indigenous ingredients.
However, most of that dubbed 'British' is anything but.
However, most of that dubbed 'British' is anything but.
