Life Kitchen

Life Kitchen Synopsis

'This book is a life changer: this is not gush, but a statement of fact' Nigella Lawson

Ryan Riley was just eighteen years old when his mum, Krista, was diagnosed with cancer. He saw first-hand the effect of her treatment but one of the most difficult things he experienced was seeing her lose her ability to enjoy food. Two years after her diagnosis, Krista died from her illness.

In a bid to discover whether there was a way to bring back the pleasure of food, Ryan created Life Kitchen in his mum's memory. It offers free classes to anyone affected by cancer treatment to cook recipes that are designed specifically to overpower the dulling effect of chemotherapy on the taste buds.

In Life Kitchen, Ryan shares recipes for dishes that are quick, easy and unbelievably delicious, whether you've lost your sense of taste due to long covid, are going through cancer treatment or just want simple, delicious meals. With ingenious combinations of ingredients, often using the fifth taste, umami, to heighten and amplify the flavours, these groundbreaking recipes are designed to reignite the joy of taste and flavour.

Recipes include:
Carbonara with peas & mint
Parmesan cod with salt & vinegar cucumber
Roasted harissa salmon with fennel salad
Miso white chocolate with frozen berries

With an introduction from UCL's taste and flavour expert Professor Barry Smith, this inspiring cookbook focusses on the simple, life-enriching pleasure of eating, for everyone living with cancer and their friends and family too.

'Life Kitchen is a celebration of food' Lauren, Sunderland
'The recipes are just really simple, really easy and delicious' Carolyn, Newcastle
'Ryan's book is better than a bunch of flowers because it's going to last forever' Gillian, Sunderland

Like this? You'll love Ryan's second book, Small Pleasures.