• Limited Edition biscuits and a collectable tin, inspired by the stories of the district and the British Library’s collection, will be available in select shops, as part of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture from Friday 27 June

Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture (Bradford 2025) have teamed up with Bradford based food artists Edible Archives  for  ‘The Bradford Selection’. Edible Archives consulted the British Library’s collection when creating the biscuits, and the Library’s collection inspired the tin design and a number of accompanying items that help bring to life the story baked into every biscuit, paying homage to the diverse stories and the people of Bradford District.

Created through a series of workshops with local communities and groups such as the Bowling Park Community Orchard, groups of people seeking sanctuary and the 1in12 Club’s Library Collective, the Edible Archives team have carefully created both a range of biscuits, a limited-edition tin, and artworks and printed inserts that are inspired by the British Library’s collection and explore Bradford’s past, present and future.

The biscuits on offer include:  

• Welcome – people from all around the world have settled in the city. This biscuit is co-created by people seeking sanctuary and is emblazoned with ‘Welcome’ in English, Burmese and Arabic, a nod towards the mix of languages in the city and to all of those who have found a home in Bradford.

• Richard Dunn- Ker – the biscuit is inspired by local legend, Bradford Boxer and former heavyweight champion Richard Dunn and is a celebration of Bradford’s iconic Richard Dunn’s leisure centre.

• ’Til the Revolution – created in collaboration with the Library Collective, part of the 1-in-12 Club and inspired by Bradford’s social history and future. This biscuit represents hope, justice and solidarity.

• Apple Day Forever – 20 years ago volunteers planted the first trees at the Bowling Park community orchard and in this biscuit, we taste the fruits of their labour.

• Gur In a Suitcase – inspired by the South Asian treat barfi, this biscuit is a celebration of Sikh-Punjabi diaspora communities in Bradford with their roots in Punjab’s farming villages, and their connection to the land through ingredients like chickpea flour, coconut, ginger and gur, lovingly transported by families to and from homes across the globe.

The biscuit selection will be presented in a collectable tin, only available during 2025. Designed by a local artist and taking inspiration from the British Library’s collection, the tin contains a selection of artworks, inserts with essays on the history of biscuits and special stories and illustrations inspired by the city. People will also be able to enjoy a guided audio experience with recordings of the artists, experts, and communities involved whilst tucking in.

 For more information and where to buy The Bradford Selection please visit: https://bradford2025.co.uk/event/the-bradford-selection/

Commissioned by Bradford 2025 in partnership with the British Library. Supported by Arts Council England, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Emballator, and Bradford Council.