Brent residents and budding chefs have showcased their commitment to tackling climate change through their love of food, by sharing tantalising recipes for a community cookbook, which promotes using up leftovers and reducing food waste.
The cookbook is called From Brent to Bowl launched today, and includes recipes from around the world via Brent, celebrating the borough’s rich diversity and heritage, with cultural stories of reducing food waste that have been passed down through generations.
The book is hosted primarily as an e-book, however print copies of the book are available to borrow from all Brent libraries. The e-book is FREE to access online.
This book brings together 20 uniquely curated, climate-friendly recipes with a special recipe donated from winner of The Great British Bakeoff, Nadiya Hussain. It also features a heartfelt foreword celebrating Brent’s diversity and cultural richness, from owner of Covent Garden’s Darjeeling Express restaurant and host of Netflix’s Chef’s Table, Asma Khan.
The 20 winning recipes were chosen after a community competition, looking for dishes that benefit the environment through their use of leftovers, by producing zero waste or by being plant-based.
From Brent to Bowl also includes food waste reduction and recycling tips, a seasonal fruit and vegetable calendar, advice on using leftovers, information on where to shop local, and information on the importance of sustainable food systems.
The book was a partnership between Brent Council and its waste and recycling contractor, Veolia, sharing the common goal of reaching zero carbon emissions in Brent by 2030.
Councillor Krupa Sheth, Cabinet Member for Environment at Brent Council said: “Each of the recipes in this book, while highlighting the issue of food waste, also represent the wonderful diversity that we have in our borough. The recipes showcased in this book each tell a distinctive story of heritage, community and tradition, and collectively they exemplify Brent’s unique identity.”
Gisela Endres, Senior Contract Manager for Veolia Brent said: “We have been blown away by the range of wonderful, sustainable recipe entries that we received. Our food systems and eating habits are key to turning the tide on climate change and we are very pleased to be releasing this book alongside Brent Council to educate Brent residents on the importance of sustainable eating and food waste reduction.”