An A-Z of Language in Food: Why Do We Fight

Jenny Lau is a writer, community organiser and luncheon club chef at the East and Southeast Asian Community Centre in Dalston. She created Celestial Peach in 2018 as a platform to tell stories about Chinese food in the diaspora, and the people and cultures behind it. Her debut non-fiction book An A-Z Of Chinese Food (Recipes Not Included) is an anthology that uses food to explore who we are and how we relate to the world. @celestialpeach_uk

Salma Elsahhar is one half of the husband-and-wife team behind Middle Eats, YouTube's largest English language channel for authentic Middle Eastern cooking that she runs with her husband Obi Fahmy. Drawing on their Egyptian heritage and life in the diaspora, their work bridges cultural understanding through food, showcasing the distinct regional culinary traditions of the Middle East while preserving authentic techniques and flavours. @itsmiddleeats

Olia Hercules was born in the South of Ukraine. She studied Italian language and International Relations at the University of Warwick. After spending a year in Italy, Olia settled in London, pursuing a career in journalism. She would later quit her job as a film business reporter to pursue her dream to cook for a living. Dedicated to researching food culture and culinary traditions of countries less explored, Hercules is the author of the award-winning cookbooks Mamushka, Kaukasis and Summer Kitchens. Her upcoming book, Strong Roots – A Ukrainian Family Story through War, Exileand Hope, is published in June. @oliahercules

Sally Abé is one of London’s leading chefs, having worked in some of the capital’s most illustrious restaurants including The Ledbury, The Harwood Arms, and The Square. Up until April, she ran the critically-acclaimed fine-dining restaurant, The Pem. As a mentor and advocate for women in hospitality, Sally has become a leading voice for equality, diversity, and work/life balance in the industry. Sally has won multiple awards during her career, including ‘Female Chef of the Year’ in the SquareMeal Ayala Female Chef Awards 2021. She has appeared on Saturday Kitchen, James Martin’s Saturday Morning, and featured on the latest series series of Great British Menu. Her first book, A Woman’s Place is in the Kitchen – a memoir of her career in hospitality – was published in June 2024.

The British Library Food Season returns for its seventh year, bringing together some of the most influential names in food, drink, hospitality, literature and science, for a series of events that highlight the stories, the politics and the people behind how and why we eat. Discover more Food Season events. 

This is an in-person only event in the British Library Knowledge Centre. Please arrive no later than 15 minutes before the start time of this event.  If you have specific access requirements please email customer@bl.uk

There are a range of concessions available. These include discounts for British Library Members, half-price tickets for students and under 26s, free entry for carers as well as a number of other concessions.