The Big Tasty Read: celebrating food and words in Bradford!
In collaboration with BBC Arts and The Reading Agency, a new national celebration of reading will launch at this summer’s Bradford Literature Festival.
Published: May 9, 2025
Author: Farah Ali & Isra Elmegri
Whisks at the ready, books in hand! As part of this year’s cultural celebrations, we’re thrilled to launch The Big Tasty Read — a brand-new nationwide campaign blending 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 will feature an exciting programme of events taking place across Bradford district and beyond.
With The Reading Agency’s research showing that 1 in 2 adults don’t read regularly, The Big Tasty Read is designed to encourage more people to discover the joy of reading. This new campaign is all about reigniting a love for books by tapping into something we all connect with: food. Whether it’s the comfort of a family recipe, the spice of a travel tale, or the nostalgia baked into a childhood treat, food has a powerful way of telling stories.
To amplify the campaign’s reach and inspire readers across the country, The Big Tasty Read is thrilled to welcome renowned food writer and broadcaster Grace Dent and restaurateur and author Nisha Katona as ambassadors. Through their voices, they’ll champion the joy of reading, the power of sharing meals, and the rich connections between culture, cuisine, and conversation. With Grace and Nisha on board, we’re sparking a national conversation around the cultural power of food and literature, bringing their personal insights and enthusiasm to readers across the UK.
The campaign kicks off at this summer’s Bradford Literature Festival (27 June- 6 July 2025), where a specially curated booklist made by The Reading Agency in collaboration with librarians and booksellers will be unveiled. Following this, Bradford Libraries will deliver a series of community events, workshops and book clubs throughout 2025. The Big Tasty Read is made for everyone – whether you’re a lifelong bookworm or just wanting to read more! Join our UK-wide reading community where we’ll share memories and recipes, and connect through books, food and culture.
But this isn’t just about books.
The initiative will also celebrate local communities, recognising how food can open doors to powerful storytelling, shared experiences, and cultural understanding. Throughout the summer, the public will be invited to share their own food memories and recipes on social media, turning personal stories into a shared national experience. Running throughout 2025, The Big Tasty Read will bring people together in libraries, bookshops, and community spaces across the UK—one story, one dish, and one conversation at a time.