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The Food Programme: The food books of 2023

The food books of 2023

BBC Radio 4 - The Food Programme, The food books of 2023

Sheila Dillon presents The Food Programme’s favourite food books of the year.

The Food Programme presenters meet in a community arts space in Newport to discuss their book choices of 2023, plus Sheila visits a group of young people to talk reading habits.

Over a coffee in community arts space The Place in Newport, south Wales, The Food Programme presenters Sheila Dillon, Leyla Kazim and Dan Saladino choose two books each from the year: one that has made them cook, and one that has made them think. Sheila also meets George Harris, creative director of Tin Shed Theatre Company, to hear why food has become part of their work, and leaf through a very special cookbook that has been passed down through George's family.

Wondering what the next generation makes of food books, Sheila visits a group of young food activists from the organisation Bite Back 2030, to debate one of the top food books of this year - Henry Dimbleby's Ravenous. Meeting at Bite Back HQ, in north London, they also discuss whether TikTok spells the end of an era for recipe books and share their own recommended reads.

Dropping in on cookbook buyer at Topping books in Bath, Kathleen Smith, we find out what's been selling this year and how trends vary according to region. Plus, scattered throughout, we hear the personal book recommendations from best-selling food writers and chefs including Rukmini Iyer, Poppy O'Toole and other familiar faces, picking their own favourite new releases from 2023.

Presented by Sheila Dillon and produced by Nina Pullman for BBC Audio in Bristol.

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