Check out these brilliant new books by our 2025 guest performers. Some are already published. Others will be out later in the year or launched at the Festival. We will be adding more to this page as the programme firms up.
Festival Bookstalls will be run by our book partner, Book-ish of Crickhowell in the Market Hall and at other venues over the weekend. Book-signing sessions give you the opportunity to meet the author and take a personalised copy home. Other books by guest performers will also be on sale.
Books can be bought in advance through Book-ish – Independent Bookshop of The Year 2024 (British Book Awards)
(image above from Asma Khan’s book ‘Monsoon’)
IXTA BELFRAGE: Fusão
Bestselling author, Ixta Belfrage has made a name for herself as one of the most exciting young talents in the food industry and in FUSÃO (translating to fusion in Portuguese), she brings all her signature creativity and flair to the food of her mother’s homeland. Ixta’s recipes offer up fresh takes on Brazilian dishes and ingredients, along with explanations and substitutions for any hard-to-find ingredients. With stunning photography from Brazil and personal stories intertwined with vibrant recipes, this is food to share, excite and inspire. Buy with Book-ish
DAVE BROOM: The Japanese Way of Whisky
Award-winning spirits writer Dave Broom tells the story of Japanese whisky, unveiling the philosophy that lies behind this fascinating whisky culture and how it is aligned with Japanese concepts of craftsmanship. Following a journey across Japan he made with photographer Kohei Take, Dave investigates what makes Japanese whisky Japanese, the secret of ‘Whisky-dō’. From Kanosuke in Kyushu to Yoichi and Akkeshi in Hokkaido, this personal guide uncovers the essence of Japan’s whiskies and how to enjoy them. Publisher: Mitchell Beazley. Out 2 October. Buy with Book-ish
PETE BROWN: Tasting Notes
Award-winning beer writer Pete Brown started pairing his favourite beers and songs as a joke, then discovered the scientists at Oxford University were doing something very similar, and taking it really seriously. Combining cutting-edge neuroscience, storytelling, humour, music fandom and (obviously) beer tasting notes, this groundbreaking book is the result of years of pairing beer and music at various events up and down the country. You’ll never think about beer or music the same way again. Buy with Book-ish
FELICITY CLOAKE: Peach Street to Lobster Lane: Coast to Coast in search of Real American Cuisine
Determined to prove there’s more to American food than the cartoonish glamour of burgers and doughnuts Felicity embarks on the ultimate coast-to-coast adventure, tackling highways, byways and pieways by bike in an unforgettable election year. Warm hospitality, local pride and unforgettable flavours ― from crawfish stew to sauerkraut balls, Memphis barbecue to Mission burritos, Italian beef to Tex-Mex gyoza, she dives into iconic dishes and the stories behind them. Buy with Book-ish
SAM COOPER: The Fermentation Kitchen
Join chef, fermenter and gardener Sam Cooper as he delves deep into the ancient art of fermentation, revealing how everyday ingredients can be transformed in flavour and form to produce delicious, nutritious, and health-boosting recipes. Focusing on maximising flavour, texture, and aroma, ‘The Fermentation Kitchen’ serves as both a comprehensive guide and an inspiration for cooks of all levels. Buy with Book-ish
CAROLINE EDEN: Green Mountains – Walking the Caucasus with Recipes
‘Green Mountains’ charts a series of invigorating walks, from the stormy sunbaked valleys of southern Armenia, to the jagged peaks of northern Georgia. Eden offers readers unique insights into the culture and food of these two countries. With meticulously researched histories, a catalogue of recipes from her travels, and rich, compelling stories, this is the final book in her ‘colour trilogy’ – following on from her multi-award-winning books, Black Sea and Red Sands. Buy with Book-ish
GEORGE EGG: The Snack Hacker
A collection of over 90 rule-breaking recipes of unpretentious cooking for everyone from the well-seasoned cook to the kitchen-shy greedy-guts. Discover hacks for fast food favourites alongside ‘proper’ recipes, using surprising combinations, unexpected ingredients and unconventional methods as George guides you from Deep-fried Pot Noodle to Chip Shop Tortilla, and Peshwari Toasties to Beer-battered Celebrations. ‘Enough anarchy to make cooking fun. Enough love to make it brilliant.’ (Tim Hayward). Buy with Book-ish
THOM & JAMES ELLIOT: Pizza – People, Places, Love
Brothers Thom and James Elliot ditched their jobs in 2012 to go on a life-changing pilgrimage to Naples, the home of pizza. Back in the UK, they set up a market stall in Soho selling pizza from thetheir trusty Ape van. Pizza Pilgrims now run 16 pizzerias in London/southeast. Alongside pizza maps of their favourite global pizza cities the book is also packed with over 30 recipes. Buy with Book-ish
SAMANTHA EVANS & SHAUNA GUINN: The Hangfire Cookbook
Barbecue is a serious business. And the Hangfire Girls are the real experts. This cookbook reveals how they make their delicious recipes and the secrets behind the perfect smoke and BBQ. Sam and Shauna explain the basics of getting started with a home smoker and different types of wood, and what rubs, cures and brines work best with certain types of meat. Hang Fire’s approach is simple: get the best ingredients, cook them low ‘n’ slow, and tuck in. Buy with Book-ish
BECKY EXCELL: Budget Gluten Free
Multi-award winning and Sunday Times Bestselling author Becky Excell has spent years developing flavoursome gluten-free recipes. Her latest book is the essential guide to everyday, gluten-free cooking on a budget. The ‘Queen of Gluten Free’ celebrates delicious dinners, exciting on-the-go lunches, decadent desserts and bakes (which won’t break the bank), all while providing dairy-free, lactose-free, low FODMAP, veggie and vegan options wherever possible. Buy with Book-ish
DIANA HENRY: Crazy Water, Pickled Lemons
Discover a treasure trove of enchanting dishes from the Middle East, Mediterranean and North Africa in this beautiful new edition of the original gem at the heart of bestselling food writer Diana Henry’s much-loved repertoire. Accompanied by Diana’s wonderful prose and no nonsense advice, this book is an inspiration and joy to cook from, bringing an intoxicating whiff of warmer climes to the table. In Claudia Roden’s words ‘a glorious and magical feast for the senses’. Buy with Book-ish
ASMA KHAN: Monsoon
Monsoon is Asma’s latest flavour odyssey – it is a deeply personal and atmospheric journey through India’s culinary landscape structured around the six seasons of Asma’s native Bengal. The book is a masterclass in taste, texture and balance as Asma guides readers through the seasons and how they correlate to the six Ayurvedic flavours (Tangy, Bier, Hot, Sweet, Sour, and Salty), illuminating Indian cookery with evocative recipes to savour. Buy with Book-ish
YASMIN KHAN: Sabizi – Fresh Vegetarian Recipes for Every Day
Irresistible vegetarian and vegan recipes inspired by award-winning food writer Yasmin Khan’s travels – and the cooking she does at home for family and friends. Lifting its name from the Persian word for ‘herbs’, Sabzi is a collection of more than 80 accessible plant-forward recipes that celebrate the best of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and South Asian flavours. Buy with Book-ish
JULIE LIN: Sama Sama
Julie’s debut cookbook encourages you to test your palate, adjust recipes to your liking and broaden your ideas of authenticity. Rather than lengthy recipes and complex processes, her ‘agak-agak’ style is about cooking with soul and creating accessible dishes with explosive flavours, such as Chilli Crisp Puttanesca, Steak au Sichuan Poivre and Kaya Croissant-and-Butter Pudding. Sama Sama celebrates the origins of traditional recipes, whilst acknowledging that to sustain these recipes we need to adapt them to our own climate, ingredients, and unique cultural landscape. Buy with Book-ish
GURDEEP LOYAL: Flavour Heroes
A collection of clever, flavour-forward, sweet and savoury recipes that, thanks to a capsule of global pantry ingredients, will satisfy every craving. With the help of his 15 favourite pantry heroes, Gurdeep Loyal demonstrates how any home cook – of any ability – can elevate their daily cooking with minimal effort for maximum reward. Each of the 90 recipes shines a spotlight on the unlimited ways these pantry ingredients can be used. Buy with Book-ish
ALLEGRA MCEVEDY: Chefs Wanted!
Co-founder of LEON, the famous fast-food restaurant, and award-winning chef, Allegra McEvedy is bringing cooking to kids. In Chefs Wanted! she presents more than 45 tasty recipes from around the globe. Suitable for budding chefs who want to take their skills to the next level. From family favourites like cannelloni and chilli, to street food like spring rolls, sweet treats like profiteroles, and much more. Buy with Book-ish
THOMASINA MIERS: Mexican Table
Over 100 bold and bright recipes from acclaimed chef Thomasina Miers to bring sunshine to your plate through these 12 staple ingredients, straight from the heart of Mexico. These are the recipes Tommi cooked, savoured and adored while living in Mexico, perfected for every home cook who wants to make stand-out Mexican flavours without fuss. Also featuring her iconic drinks. Buy with Book-ish
MILLIE MILLIKEN: Tequila: A Tasting Course
Tequila expert Millie Milliken is your guide to the art and craft of tequila – the type of agave used and how it is harvested, the jimadors who grow the agaves, the distillers and blender who make tequila, the types of tequila, and the different levels of ageing. From precolonial times, to its use in Mexican culture and history, and all the way through to today’s resurgence, delve into the fascinating history of one of the world’s oldest spirits. Buy with Book-ish
TIFFANY MURRAY: My Family and Other Rock Stars
‘My Family and Other Rock Stars’ is Tiff’s remarkable truly unique story of growing up in a rural idyll, of Cordon Bleu cookery and of a childhood where the chances of bumping into Freddie Mercury playing piano, or a group of Hell’s Angels turning up to record for Lemmy, or even the hope of David Bowie appearing, were as normal as hopscotch and homework. ‘What an utter joy! … a really great romp of a novel, a Hideous Kinky for Wales.‘ (Ella Risbridger) Buy with Book-ish
OLLY SMITH: World Cocktail Atlas
Sail away on the most stylish of booze cruises, all from the comfort of your own home! Olly serves up the best cocktail recipes the world has to offer. From the prohibition-inspired speakeasy drinks of the US to the art of the Japanese Izakaya, Italian spritzes and amaro, Mexican margaritas, Korean soju sippers, Brazil’s many caipirinha-based classics, to Singapore slings and West Indian rum punches, every country has its own signature concoctions. Buy with Book-ish
NED PALMER: A Cheese-Monger’s Tour De France
Charles de Gaulle famously said it was impossible to govern a country with 246 different cheeses. And perhaps he was right. Every French cheese carries an essence of the place where it’s made – its history, identity and landscape. In A Cheesemonger’s Tour de France, Ned Palmer wends his way around the country’s regions, meeting the remarkable cheesemongers who carry the torch for France’s oldest and most treasured traditions. Buy with Book-ish
FELICITY SPECTOR: Bread & War
From the military kitchens which cook for soldiers and volunteers, to the chefs who shifted from fine dining to turning out hot meals and loaves of bread for families in need – food has become a central part of Ukraine’s war effort and a powerful symbol of national identity. Bread and War tells their extraordinary stories. Felicity Spector has been a television journalist for 34 years, starting her career covering the fall of the Communist bloc and the end of the old Soviet Union. She was appointed as ITN Moscow producer in 1990-91 and visited Ukraine when it declared independence. Buy with Book-ish
Sami Tamimi: Boustany – a celebration of vegetables from my Palestine
A homage to Palestinian food and culture, ‘Boustany’ is the first solo cookbook from Sami Tamimi – Ottolenghi co-founder and co-author (with Yotam Ottelenghi) of ‘Falastin’ and ‘Jerusalem’. With over 100 vegetarian recipes for breakfast, sharing plates, big celebrations, simple breads, moreish sweet treats and easy dinners, every dish takes you on a journey through the food of his homeland – dishes he has known, loved, cooked and shared with friends, and now wants to share with you. Buy with Book-ish
CLAIRE THOMPSON: Mushroom
In the companion cookbook to Claire’s award-winning ‘Tomato’, she draws inspiration from across the globe, showcasing recipes that will give you the confidence to cook with mushroom varieties time and time again. From a tasty Mushroom, Feta & Mint Gozleme and a warming Mushroom Biriyani to an elegant Mushroom & Asparagus Galette and an oozing Mushroom Gorgonzola Burger, there are recipes for every occasion and every mood. Buy with Book-ish
CYRUS TODIWALA: Modern Indian – Small Plates Big Flavours
This latest culinary venture from Cyrus showcases inventive and delicious dishes for every occasion. These dishes are more than just food. They’re a journey through the vibrant and diverse world of Indian flavours, from savoury bites to sweet treats. In ‘Modern Indian’ you are invited to reimagine the art of Indian cooking, with dishes that can be perfectly adapted for small plates or combined for fabulous feasts, each bursting with flavour and ingenuity. Buy with Book-ish