By Angela Green, Content Executive: The British Library’s Food Season is back 2023.
The British Library’s Food Season, 17 April – 7 June 2023, returns for its sixth year, bringing together some of the most influential names in food to highlight the stories, the politics and the people behind how and why we eat.
From a celebration of African Caribbean takeaways to a deep-dive into the challenges around food production and access, to the facts and fictions about TV chefs, the Food Season offers a range of online and in-person events inspired by cookbooks, recipes and culinary stories in the British Library’s collections.
Highlights include:
Food writers Nigella Lawson, Jonathan Nunn and Rebecca May Johnson get into the makings of the sandwich – Britain’s most widely beloved food format.
Broadcaster Sara Cox in discussion with novelist Bonnie Garmus and celebrated TV chef Nadiya Hussain on what it really takes to be a chef on TV – and whether the reality can live up to fiction.
A day long celebration of African Caribbean cuisine featuring chefs and broadcasters Jimi Famurewa, Fatmata Binta and Andi Oliver.
Fergus Henderson at 60: a spotlight on the life, career and culinary impact of one of the most influential figures in the food industry.
An exploration of the big challenges in food, land use and food production with author Henry Dimbleby alongside Dr Tara Garnett, Nick Saltmarsh, Abby Allen and Dimitri Houtart.
A deep dive into nutritional access for the elderly, and enabling physical, social and mental nourishment for all, with broadcaster and advocate of the rights and support for the elderly, Dame Joan Blackwell in conversation with Kath Dalmeny, Chief Executive of Sustain; and Neel Radia, Founder of Cake 4 Kindness CIC, introduced by Professor Dame Carol Black, Chair of the British Library Board and the Centre for Ageing Better.
The 2023 Food Season has been developed by British Library curator and Food Season founder Dr Polly Russell with award-winning food writers Angela Clutton and Melissa Thompson as co-directors.
Dr Polly Russell, food historian, founder and curator of the British Library Food Season, said: “The British Library Food Season is back for 2023 with a stellar line-up of speakers, including Nigella Lawson, Ken Hom, Andi Oliver, Nadiya Hussain, Poppy O’Toole, Fergus Henderson, Joan Bakewell, Sara Cox and Angela Hartnett. This year features a day-long celebration of African Caribbean foodways, the secrets of fermentation, the politics and pleasures of ice cream, eating for the elderly and much, much more. Showcasing influential names alongside emerging talent, this season is for anyone with an interest in food, eating and cooking – or a curious mind.”
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