Emma The British Library’s highly anticipated Food Season runs from 17 April – 1 June 2025.
Now in its seventh year, the festival will once again bring together a talented roster of chefs, food writers, historians, literary authors and cultural commentators to explore the rich history, global influences, and future of food and drink. Names include: Prue Leith, Ruby Tandoh, Dan Saladino, Claudia Roden, Bee Wilson, Nadiya Hussain and Candice Brathwaite.
This year sees the launch of the Food Season Food Awards with four prize categories for Best Narrative Cookery Book, Food Stories Fellowship, Food on Display and a Food Hero Award voted for by the public.
The British Library’s Food Season has established itself as a must-attend event for food lovers, industry professionals, and academics alike. Whether you’re passionate about food history, keen to learn from culinary pioneers, or simply eager to indulge in new tastes and trends, there’s something for everyone.
The Food Season for 2025 offers an exciting programme of live talks, panel discussions, workshops, and exclusive tastings. All events are inspired by the British Library’s extensive collection, featuring rare cookbooks, historical recipes, and food manuscripts from around the world.
From the season launch event with cookery icon Dame Prue Leith talking about her life in food with journalist Jimi Famurewa; an expert panel discussion into the impact of weight-loss injections on our society; to cult food magazine Vittles posing the question: what is the point of a cookbook?; and chef Nadiya Hussain will be in conversation with celebrated author Candice Brathwaite.
The season will also include an event celebrating the late Californian maverick, feminist food writer, M.F.K Fisher, with her daughter, Kennedy Golden, Alastair Harper from band Extradition Order (who will be performing as part of the event) alongside authors Rebecca May Johnson and Gurdeep Loyal.
During the final weekend 31 May – 1 June, the Library will be hosting the Food Season’s BIG WEEKEND; a two day celebration of food through words, sounds, cultures, ideas and tastings.
The 2025 Food Season has been developed by the Head of Eccles Institute for the Americas at the British Library and Food Season founder, Dr Polly Russell with award-winning food writers Angela Clutton and Melissa Thompson as co-directors. Food Season support from Joe Allen.
The British Library’s Food Season 2025 is sponsored by Miele.
Tickets for the 2025 Food Season are on general sale and the full programme of events can be found at https://events.bl.uk/whats-on/food-season.
