The Big Tasty Read

Bradford Libraries serve up a feast of stories with The Big Tasty Read

Bradford Libraries are inviting people across the district to enjoy a delicious new programme of free events this September as part of The Big Tasty Read – a national celebration of reading inspired by the joy of food.

All events can be found below

The Big Tasty Read is part of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture and is run in partnership with The Reading Agency and BBC Arts. It uses the universal love of food to bring people together and encourage more adults to enjoy reading.

Throughout September, libraries across Bradford will host a tasty mix of events including author talks, writing workshops, food-themed crafts, film screenings, and cooking sessions. All events are free and open to everyone.

Highlights include:

• Writing workshops will be led by local writers and poets including Nabeela Ahmed, Rachel Bower, Gill Connors, Antony Dunn, Carrie Etter and Mohamed Saloo.
• Special readings include Rachel Bower and Antony Dunn with Beehive Poets at City Library (5 September), Olivia Potts at Shipley Library (10 September), and Three Little Birds Bakery sharing their story at Keighley Library (13 September).
• Film screenings at Darley Street Market: Chocolat (6 September) and A Thousand Foot Journey (12 September).
• Creative food-themed activities include cupcake decorating, recipe journaling, herbal mandalas, roti making, a Big Tasty Bake Off, and a Global Food and Heritage Tour.
• Foraging fun with Within the Wood and Sponge Tree.
• Recipe Books created by Stand and Be Counted Theatre Company will be shared at events, including a special day at Darley Street Market (27 September) with American poet Carrie Etter. She’ll lead a scavenger hunt and poetry writing session, ending with an open mic at City Library.

A special food-themed booklist has been created, featuring authors including Grace Dent, Stanley Tucci, Madhur Jaffrey and Olivia Potts. This delicious selection of books will be available in libraries across the district, with a wide selection also available to loan via the libraries Borrowbox app in ebook and audio format.

People who are unable to come into libraries that use Home Library Service will not be left out. They will receive a Big Tasty Read gift bag with books and an invitation to share their food memories and recipes.

Book list

• The Language of Food, by Annabel Abbs
• Recipes for Love and Murder, by Sally Andrew
• My Life in France: The Life Story of Julia Child, by Julia Child, with Alex Prud’homme, introduced by Olivia Potts
• Meet Me at the Cupcake Café, by Jenny Colgan
• Hungry: A memoir of wanting more, by Grace Dent
• Like Water for Chocolate, by Laura Esquivel, translated by Carol Christensen and Thomas Christensen
• Chocolat, by Joanne Harris
• Takeaway: Stories from a Childhood Behind the Counter, by Angela Hui
• Climbing the Mango Trees, by Madhur Jaffrey
• Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, by Barbara Kingsolver
• A Half Baked Idea, by Olivia Potts
• The Briar Club, by Kate Quinn
• A Thousand Feasts, by Nigel Slater
• Sweet Bean Paste, by Durian Sukegawa, translated by Alison Watts
• Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers, by Jesse Sutanto
• Breadsong: How Baking Changed Our Lives, by Kitty and Al Tait
• Taste: My Life Through Food, by Stanley Tucci
• In the Kitchen: Essays on Food and Life, by various contributors
• Tales From the Kitchen: A collection of essays and short stories, by various contributors
• Black Cake, by Charmaine Wilkerson
• Butter, by Asako Yuzuki, translated by Polly Barton
• Crying in H Mart, by Michelle Zauner

How to book

Tickets are free and available at www.ticketsource.co.uk/bradfordlibraries. Or email [email protected]

Events

Nourishing Our Minds – 4 Week Course

Starting Tuesday, 26 August, 2pm to 4pm, Shipley Library

Big Tasty Read: Creative Writing with Nabeela Ahmed

Explore food, memory, and healing through words. Taste dishes, share stories, and write in any form you choose. Open to all—no experience needed.

Sessions take place at Shipley Library at the following times:

• Tuesday, 26 August, 2pm to 4pm
• Tuesday, 2 September, 2pm to 4pm
• Tuesday, 16, September, 2pm to 4pm
• Tuesday, 23 September, 2pm to 4pm

Free to attend. Refreshments provided.

Booking essential - book your place at Ticket Source.

Exploring Food, Books and Healing - Food and Books that Open Worlds

• Tuesday, 2 September 10am to 12 noon, Burley-in-Wharfdale Library
• Wednesday, 24 September, 12.30pm to 2.30pm, Manningham Library

Creative writing with Nabeela Ahmed.

Taste food from four countries, explore four translated books, and write about a place or culture you’ve visited or dream of visiting.

Free and open to all - new, experienced, or curious writers. Write in any form you like.

Booking essential - book your place at Ticket Source.

Exploring Food, Books and Healing - Food and Books that Open Worlds

Wednesday, 3 September, 10am to 12.30pm, Bingley Library

Creative Writing with Nabeela Ahmed

Explore the healing power of food and books. Taste herbs like mint, fennel, and honey, and discuss stories that comfort and inspire. Then write about a place or culture meaningful to you.

Free and open to all - write in any form you like.

Booking essential - book your place at Ticket Source.

Foraging workshop

Thursday, 4 September, 11am to 2pm, Bingley Library

Join us at Bingley Library to embark on some foraging with Joe from Within the Wood. We will find out about the edible, medicinal and functional plants and speak about their uses throughout history to the present day.
This activity will involve walking outside, please dress appropriately for the weather.

This is a free event.

Booking essential - book your place at Ticket Source.

Roti Making

• Thursday, 4 September, Wibsey Library, 4pm onwards
• Wednesday, 10 September, Eccleshill Library, 4pm onwards
• Thursday, 11 September, Laisterdyke Library, 4pm onwards
• Thursday. 25 September, Wyke Library, 3pm to 4pm

Have a go at making your own Rotis. All ingredients provided. Free to attend. All welcome. In partnership with the Sikh Health and Welfare Society

No need to book

Poetry Reading with Beehive Poets: Rachel Bower and Antony Dunn

City Library – Friday, 5 September, 7pm

Join the Beehive poets for a night of sparkling poetry with poets Rachel Bower and Antony Dunn.

All welcome. No need to book.

Creative Writing Workshop: A Recipe for Making Time to Read

• Keighley Library - Saturday, 6 September, 10am to 4pm
• Online - Sunday, 21 September, 10am to 4pm

Join Gill Connors to explore how food, books, and memory connect in this day-long workshop. Read from Tales in the Kitchen, share recipes and stories, and write your own. Free and open to all - new, experienced, or curious writers.

Refreshments provided. Lunch break included (bring your own or step out).

Booking essential - book your place at Ticket Source.

Get Creative with Food – Woven Herb Hanging

Manningham library - Sunday, 7 September, 1pm to 4pm

Join Paula Taylor (Sponge Tree) to create beautiful nature-inspired pieces using foraged herbs, fruits, and edible flowers. A unique, hands-on experience celebrating heritage and creativity.

This is a free event. All materials and refreshments provided.

Booking essential - book your place at Ticket Source.

Get Creative with Food – Fruit and Vegetable Printed Tote Bags

Shipley Library – Wednesday, 10 September, 1pm to 4pm

Transform nature's bounty into beautiful, handcrafted treasures! Join Paula Taylor from Sponge Tree to learn to craft beautiful heritage and nature-inspired pieces using foraged herbs, fruits, and edible flowers to make
fruit and vegetable printed tote bags.

Materials and refreshments provided. Free to attend.

Booking essential - book your place at Ticket Source.

Langar

• Holmewood Library, Monday, 8 September, 11am to 2pm
• Laisterdyke Library, Thursday, 18 September, 4.30pm to 6.30pm
• Wibsey Library, Saturday, 27 September, 12 noon to 3pm

Come along to Holmewood Library and share food, learn about our Sikh Community and borrow a book. Talk,eat and share. All food is vegetarian.

Free to attend. All welcome.

No need to book.

In partnership with Sikh Health and Welfare Society

Big Tasty Bake-Off

Manningham Library – Wednesday, 10 September, 11am to 12 noon

Bring in your favourite dish to share, along with a description of why it is a favourite or a memory connected with the dish, and enter the Big Tasty Bake Off. Participants to share and taste all the dishes, with the favourite winning a tasty prize!

Free to attend.

No need to book.

Meet the Author - A Reading with Olivia Potts

Wednesday, 10 September – Shipley Library, 7pm

Hosted by David Barnett

Olivia will be reading from her novel, A Half Baked Idea, which features on the Big Tasty Read reading list. There will be the opportunity to ask Olivia questions.

A Half Baked Idea is available to borrow from the library, and can also be found on Borrowbox in ebook and audiobook formats.

Olivia Potts is an award-winning food writer and chef.

Free to attend. Refreshments provided by Three Little Birds Bakery.

Booking essential - book your place at Ticket Source.

Snack A Verse

• Eccleshill Library – Thursday, 11 September, 10am to 11.30am
• Keighley Library – Thursday, 11 September, 1.30pm to– 3pm
• Manningham Library – Saturday, 13 September, 1pm to 2.30pm

Join poet Mohamed Saloo to bring food and poetry together in an interactive writing workshop exploring the wonders of snacking in a poetic twist.

Free to attend. Refreshments provided. New, experienced and curious writers welcome.

Booking essential - book your place at Ticket Source.

Foraging and Cooking

Thursday, 11 September - Within the Wood, Ponden Lane, Stanbury, 11am to 2pm

Join us to explore edible and medicinal plants, learn their uses, and enjoy outdoor cooking with foraged ingredients.

Please wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather.

Note: The site is not accessible by public transport—check travel options before booking.

Free to attend.

Booking essential - book your place at Ticket Source.

Meet Three Little Birds Bakery

Keighley Library, Saturday, 13 September, 2.30pm to 3.30pm

Hear their story, discover what inspires their delicious cakes, and learn about their favourite reads. There will, of course, be delicious cake to try

It's going to be a very tasty event. Q&A included. Free to attend.

Booking essential - book your place at Ticket Source.

Wild Food Foraging

• Saturday, 13 September – Burley-in-Wharfdale Library, 10am to 1pm
• Saturday, 20 September – Keighley Library, 10am to 1pm
• Saturday, 27 September – Eccleshill Library, 10am to 1pm

Join Paula Taylor from Sponge Tree to discover the delicious world of wild foods – from herbs and weeds to fruits, nuts, and flowers – and learn to spot, harvest, and transform them into various dishes.

This event will involve walking outdoors; please dress appropriately for the weather. This is a free event.

Booking essential - book your place at Ticket Source.

Eating Our Words

• Monday, 15 September - Manningham Library, 11am to 1pm
• Monday, 15 September - Keighley Library, 6pm to 8pm

Join poet Antony Dunn to explore the relationship between poetry and food. Through a series of reading, writing and conversation games, we'll use our own experiences of making, eating or going without food to tell the bigger stories of our lives and our cultures. Come away with a couple of tasty new poems, and some
fresh ingredients of the imagination to play with at home...

This is a free event. New, experienced and curious writers welcome.

Refreshments provided.

Booking essential - book your place at Ticket Source.

Exploring Books, Food and Healing – It’s All About Love

Tuesday, 16 September – Wibsey Library, 10am to 12 noon

Join experienced writer, poet and facilitator Nabeela Ahmed in a creative writing workshop exploring food, books and love. Which food do you love so much you could eat several times a week? Who does it remind you of? Do you have the recipe for it? Which book or author or poem could you read again and again and again? Talk about the food and writing you love, share it with others and then write what you would love to write about, but haven’t tried yet.

This is a free event. New, experienced and curious writers welcome.

Refreshments will be provided.

Booking essential - book your place at Ticket Source.

Cup Cake Decorating for Special Occasions

Wednesday, 17 September - Eccleshill Library, 2.30pm to 4pm

Come along to Eccleshill Library for a masterclass in making your cupcakes worthy of a special celebration. Our library baker Faizah will show you techniques to decorate a selection of your own cupcakes which you can take home to enjoy.

This is a free event. All materials provided.

Booking essential - book your place at Ticket Source.

Creative Recipes

Eccleshill Library

• Thursday, 18 September, 1.30pm to 3.30pm
• Thursday, 25 September 1.30pm to 3.30pm

Combining words, art and recipes, Elliss will gently guide you through a creative session in which recipes will come alive and be personalised with memories, thoughts and stories. Share, write, paint, draw and create
your own recipe journal.

This is a free event. Refreshments and materials will be provided.

Booking essential - book your place at Ticket Source.

Get Creative with Food – Edible Flowers and Herbal Mandalas

Laisterdyke Library – Monday, 22 September, 1pm to 4pm

Join Sponge Tree at Laisterdyke Library to craft nature-inspired mandalas using foraged herbs, fruits, and edible flowers.

Materials and refreshments provided. Free to attend.

Booking essential - book your place at Ticket Source.

Exploring Food, Books and Healing - Herbs and Books for Our Senses

Eccleshill Library, Wednesday, 3 September 2.30pm to 4.30pm

Join Nabeela Ahmed to explore scent and story in this sensory writing workshop. Smell herbs, share books that awakened your senses, and write in any style you like.

Free and open to all – beginners, experienced writers, or the simply curious.

Booking essential - book your place at Ticket Source.

Get Creative with Food – Corndollies

City Library – Wednesday, 24 September, 1pm to 4pm

Join Paula Taylor from Sponge Tree for a unique creative experience where you'll learn to craft beautiful heritage and nature-inspired pieces using foraged herbs, fruits, and edible flowers. Come along to City Library and enjoy a mindful and creative afternoon making Corndollies.

All materials and refreshments will be provided. Free event.

Booking essential - book your place at Ticket Source.

Global Food and Heritage Tour

Darley Street Market, Friday, 26 September, 11.30am to 12.30pm

Come along and meet some of Darley Street’s market traders. Learn about their journey, hear about how they source and prepare their ingredients and taste their favourite foods – a culinary treat not to be missed.

Free to attend.

The Great Darley Street Market Scavenger Hunt

Darley Street Market, Saturday, 27 September, 11am to 12.30pm

The Great Market Scavenger Hunt—with a Little Poetry! Go on a scavenger hunt of the Bradford’s Darley Street Market to discover its sights, smells, and tastes - then write a poem using your findings! An exercise for parents and children with guidance from American poet and food lover Carrie Etter.

Free to attend, no need to book – just turn up!

The Poetry of Food: A Workshop

City Library, Saturday, 27 September, 3pm to 4.30pm

What makes a great food poem? Carrie Etter will lead a discussion of delicious food poems to discover what makes one especially effective before leading an exercise to create our own.

This is a free event. Tasty refreshments to be provided.

Booking essential - book your place at Ticket Source.

The Poetry of Food: A Reading and Open Mic with Carrie Etter

City Library, Saturday, 27 September, 6pm to 8pm

Come hear some great poems about food from Carrie Etter, and share your own poem of up to 40 lines or half a page of prose! We especially welcome readings from those who have participated in our Big Tasty Read events throughout the month.

This is a free event. Refreshments provided. Book to guarantee your chance to read, or just turn up.

Book your place at Ticket Source.

Get Creative with Food – Harvest Wreath Making

Monday, 29 September, Wibsey Library, 1pm to 4pm

Join Paula Taylor from Sponge Tree for a unique creative experience where you'll learn to craft beautiful heritage and nature-inspired pieces using foraged herbs, fruits, and edible flowers. Come along for a mindful
and creative afternoon of Harvest Wreath Making at Wibsey Library.

All materials and refreshments provided. This is a free event.

Booking essential - book your place at Ticket Source.

Film screenings

Darley Street Courtyard

Includes tasty treats and comfortable seats. These are free event as part of Big Tasty Read.

Chocolat

Saturday, 6 September. Doors open 4pm. Film showing 4.30pm

Starring Juliette Binoche, Johnny Depp, Judi Dench and Alfred Molina, Chocolat tells the story of single mother Vianne.

Film Rating: 12

Booking essential - book your place at Ticket Source.

The Hundred Foot Journey

Friday, 12 September – Doors open 5.30pm. Film showing 6pm.

Starring Helen Mirren, Om Puri, Manish Dayal and directed by Lasse Hallström. Based on the book by Richard C. Morais.

Film rating PG

Booking essential - book your place at Ticket Source.

Massive thanks for our facilitators and partners

• Olivia Potts
• Rachel Bower
• Nabeela Ahmed
• Mohamed Saloo
• Gill Connors
• Antony Dunn
• Carrie Etter
• Stand & Be Counted Theatre
• Darley Street Market
• Three Little Birds Bakery
• Sponge Tree
• Within The Wood
• Sikh Health and Welfare Society