Stories by Daniel Hautzinger

Louis-Auguste and Marie Antoinette are to make their first official trip to Paris, but an outbreak of illness in the king threatens plans, and has the young couple faced with prospect of becoming king and queen. 

Romances are being stymied left and right, both by participants (Lady Denham, Beatrice, Charlotte, Lord Montrose) and outside forces such as Alexander Colbourne. A crisis is brewing. 

Nurse Crane's competence is called into question as the board of health questions whether she should retire, while a gastroenteritis outbreak at the clinic necessitates a quarantine. 

“It’s a totally bonkers period,” says Annie Gray, a food historian and the author of a new cookbook focusing on British food from 1956-1970, the era of Call the Midwife. But the food "tells us so much about social attitudes" and more, she says.  

Blancmange is similar to panna cotta, a simple custard-like set dessert that was once quite popular, especially in Europe. Try a recipe for it from Call the Midwife: The Official Cookbook.

The king begins to take an interest in Marie Antoinette and hates being caught in the middle of her rivalry with Madame du Barry, as Provence searches for his own wife.

Georgiana faces opprobrium in a trial that could take away her fortune, as Samuel tries to defend her and an old flame resurfaces. Charlotte's feelings towards Alexander warm again, while Augusta has her own growing romance.

Trixie has decided to learn to cook before her marriage to Matthew. Nancy has fallen into trouble but doesn't want to tell anyone. Shelagh helps a mother and daughter sundered by a difficult diagnosis, and Sister Veronica aids a woman with an abusive husband. 

The final, ninth season of Endeavour, which consists of three episodes, has an airdate. It will also be accompanied by a new mystery, and a special looking back on the show.

Even today there is a huge disparity in the number of women head chefs, but achieving success in the food industry earlier on was even less common. Meet some of the women who influenced Chicago and America's attitudes towards food. 

The finalists for the James Beard Awards, one of the food industry's biggest recognitions in America, have been announced. Chicago has five nominees, plus an honorable mention who recently moved to the city. 

Marie Antoinette is beginning to be enmeshed in the rivalries of Versailles, including that between the wily Madame du Barry, who has the king's ear, and most of the rest of Versailles. 

Alexander fetches his brother to Sanditon in the hopes that he can be of use, while Georgiana faces the prospect of having her inheritance taken from her. Arthur prepars the town for a royal visit, and Tom deals with a straight-talking investor and his plans for Sanditon. 

Lucille continues to struggle with depression even as she helps a fiercely independent older man in Poplar. Freed some administrative duties by Sister Veronica's arrival, Sister Julienne relishes doing more work with patients, like a woman with breast cancer. 

J'Nai Bridges, the subject of a new American Masters documentary, was a member of the Lyric Opera of Chicago's Ryan Opera Center for three years, and is currently singing Carmen at the Lyric. She has also worked with the Chicago area composer Shawn E. Okpebholo.