"The varied events include a discussion on embracing plant based ingredients right through to writing about the sensuality of food in fiction. "
Mecca Ibrahim
The British Library are running another season of last year’s highly popular talks, workshops and courses on food, all inspired by their extensive food-related collections. Many of the events, which run until 30th May 2019 feature prominent women in the food industry. Mecca Ibrahim, co-founder of Women in the Food Industry (WiFi) highlights some of her favourites here.
15th April – 7pm – 8.30pm – Joanne Harris – Food in Fiction
How do you write about the sensuality of food in fiction? Author of the best-selling novel Chocolat and cookbook writer Joanne Harris reflects on her work and the place of food in her novels, including her new book, The Strawberry Thief, the compelling and long-awaited sequel to Chocolat, published 20 years after the original. Joanne will be in conversation with James Runcie, author of ‘The Grantchester Mysteries’ and The Discovery of Chocolate.
23rd April – 7.15pm- 8.30pm – Cookery Writers as National Treasures
In an illustrated talk Janet Floyd looks at the following question “Since Eliza Acton and Mrs Beeton, some cookery book writers have taken on iconic status and continue to be celebrated long after their deaths. How does this happen? …. We often know them by their first names – ‘Jamie’ or ‘Nigella’ – or we associate them with a certain approach – as in ‘doing a Delia’ – or with a historical moment – as with Marguerite Patten. Some figures, Elizabeth David for example, have become a touchstone in histories of cookery and lifestyle. But what makes these people stand out?”
10th May 2019 – 7pm – 8.30pm – Women Cheesemakers Past, Present and Future
Meet the female cheesemakers transforming the field of cheese by championing the revival of British territorial cheese production. With Neal’s Yard Dairy’s Bronwen Percival, and cheesemakers Mrs Ruth Kirkham of award winning Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese and Carrie Rimes. The ticket includes cheese samples!
16th May 2019 – 7.30pm- 9pm – Nadiya Hussain and Sara Cox in Conversation
Two well-loved British women from the worlds of food and music Nadia Hussain and Sara Cox reflect on their upbringings and careers, the roles they’ve had to play along the way, and what it means to be a working woman in the public eye.
20th May 2019 – 7pm – 8.30pm – How to Write a Cookbook
What really goes into making a cookbook? Take a peek behind the scenes with two highly respected food writers, Sybil Kapoor and Jenny Linford, to find out about the process of writing and creating a cookbook. In what is sure to be a fascinating talk, Jenny and Sybil share their trials, tribulations and top tips.
23rd May 2019 7pm – 8.30pm – Chantelle Nicholson’s Planted
Award-winning chef, author and champion of plant-based cooking, and WiFi supporter Chantelle Nicholson shares her thoughts on how and why we should embrace plant-based ingredients. Chantelle’s event includes a demonstration and small plant-based samples.
The Food Season runs until 30th May 2019 at The British Library, 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB. You can read the full feature with more events from The British Library Food Season on Women in the Food Industry's website.
