Culture

Books about food are not always cookbooks – reading about food and cooking is, more often than not, akin to delving into the complex notions of passion, taste, hunger, appetite, and desire.

Experience literature and food intertwine in these new and classic page-turners:

Save Me the Plums: My Gourmet Memoir, Ruth Reichl

Famed food writer and restaurant critic Ruth Reichl’s takes us through her journey of being the editor-in-chief of top food magazine Gourmet. The memoir offers a witty and enthralling account of being in the high-stakes world of publishing and how she managed to bring a new approach to the magazine and culinary journalism. It’s also complete with delicious recipes to complement the chapters. 

Victory in the Kitchen: The Life of Churchill’s Cook, Annie Gray 

Written by acclaimed food historian Annie Gray, this culinary biography tells the story of Georgina Landamere who had a successful career as Winston Churchill’s cook at Number 10. Charting some of the most popular recipes from twentieth century wartime England, this is a book that will delight history buffs and foodies alike. 

Heartburn, Nora Ephron

This warm-hearted fictionalised autobiography based on the author’s marriage and divorce from her second husband has plenty of laugh-out-loud moments despite the sombre theme. With recipes that accompanied her throughout the ups and downs, the book reveals the comfort we often find in food when going through major life events. 

Toast: The Story of a Boy’s Hunger, Nigel Slater 

This award-winning biography by acclaimed food writer and journalist Nigel Slater tells the story of his childhood upbringing in 1960s England recalled through food and is a heartwarming tale of growing up and adolescence. The book was later made into a BBC drama and has been adapted into a popular-running play.