From Ellis’s evocative memoirs about heritage and home to Wilson’s insightful writing on the politics and pleasures of eating, both authors delved into how what we cook and consume shapes who we are.

Together, they discussed the personal and cultural histories woven through recipes, the emotional charge of family meals, and the power of food writing to nourish connection across generations. This intimate event was a rich and thoughtful dialogue between two of Britain’s most engaging literary voices.

The Big Tasty Read was a brand-new nationwide campaign that blended the joy of reading with the love of food. Led by Bradford Council’s Bradford Libraries and delivered as part of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, the campaign featured an exciting programme of events that took place across the Bradford district and beyond.