The 14th-century Abbot’s Kitchen reopened this spring after major conservation work. “Along with the Lady Chapel, this has been the most significant and comprehensive programme of conservation at the Abbey in the last 100 years,” said the Abbey’s director, Janet Bell.

  Peter Brears, a specialist in traditional English cookery, advised on the new displays inside the building. He used historical evidence found inside the kitchen itself and his extensive knowledge of other medieval kitchens — among which the Abbot’s Kitchen is a rare architectural masterpiece.

  Remains of two stone piers in the north and south walls inside the kitchen suggested there may have been an arcaded gallery from which the kitchener, the head cook, could supervise the staff. Reconstructing the gallery was not possible because no evidence exists for its original appearance. But a modern gantry was installed between the piers to indicate the position and size of the gallery. It also carries the lighting and overhead heaters to prevent any damage to the medieval walls.

  The work began in 2013 with a high-tech survey of the Abbot’s Kitchen that produced a three-dimensional digital model. It helped to understand the octagonal building’s complex dimensions, volume and structure. This was the first detailed record of the building since Augustus Pugin undertook a survey in the 1830s.

  The survey identified vulnerable stonework, which was stabilized by professional conservators. At the same time, archaeologists recorded and analysed the building and its site.

  A short film about the conservation project was commissioned from Somerset Film, a company based in Bridgwater. The film contains insights into how and why the Abbot’s Kitchen is so important to conserve and includes interviews with the specialists involved.

  A cookbook with two dozen authentic dishes of the period compiled by celebrity chefs such as Rick Stein sells in the Abbey shop for £5 — proceeds to the “Rescue our Ruins” appeal.