Bite-size news, reviews & diary dates. By Phoebe Stone
THE NATURE OF EATING
Did you know we rely on only a handful of the planet’s 7,000 edible plants? Kew Gardens’ Food Forever event explores their importance to our future. There’ll be talks and installations by artists including Serge Attukwei Clottey (above with work Shooting at Hunger and architect Farida Abu-Bakare), plus plant-led menus by Dr Rupy Aujla, Zoe Adjonyoh and Tom Hunt. Until 18 September; tickets from £15, kew.org
Treasures at your fingertips
New app DELLI is like a virtual food and drink market. From chilli oil to bakes (like Bunhead’s, left), browse offerings from producers to collect locally. Currently London-centric, it’s growing UK-wide (filter for items delivered nationwide). “We’re helping people discover local food makers,” says DELLI’s Natalie Lee-Joe. Search ‘DELLI’ wherever you get your apps.
Return to River Cottage
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is back for his first TV series in 10 years: River Cottage Reunited. Joined by familiar faces including Gill Meller (find his recipes in this issue) and forager John Wright, the four-parter continues Hugh’s mission to help us “live and cook a little closer to nature”, with a new campaign championing sustainable venison. Catch up on All4 and find our venison burger recipe on p36
KITCHEN BOOKSHELF
This month: fusion recipes, big flavours from Sri Lanka and home comforts from Ukraine and beyond
MEZCLA
Meaning ‘blend’ in Spanish, Mezcla is Ixta Belfrage’s solo debut (she co-authored Flavour with Ottolenghi in 2020). With influences from her Italian childhood, Brazilian mother and Mexico-based family, the results – like piri piri tofu over ‘crispy crispy’ orzo – promise a repertoire reboot.
Ebury Press £26 (out 7 July)
RAMBUTAN
This portrait of Sri Lankan food by Cynthia Shanmugalingam is full of personality – and mouthwatering recipes for curries, sambols (coconut side dishes) and more. Cynthia was raised in the UK by Tamil parents, and her essays on the cuisine tell us a lot about Sri Lanka’s history and her family’s relationship wi
