At the Legends' Table

Anna Del Conte was born in Milan but left Italy in 1949 to learn English in London. She went on to became the first cookery writer in England to specialise in Italian food, publishing her first book, Portrait of Pasta, in 1975. Since then she has written seven Italian cookery books and a memoir, and her books have won countless prizes. According to Nigella Lawson, “anyone who loves food - reading about it, cooking it, eating it - should have her books”. Anna Del Conte lives in Dorset and will turn 100 this year.

Angela Hartnett, OBE, is a renowned chef celebrated for her simple yet refined cooking, inspired by her Italian heritage. She started her career at Aubergine, Zafferano, and L’Oranger before becoming head chef at Petrus, where she helped earn a Michelin star. Angela later launched four restaurants with Gordon Ramsay and opened her own Michelin-starred restaurant, Murano, in 2007. In 2012, she co-founded Hartnett, Holder & Co and Cafe Murano. Angela was a judge on BBC1’s Britain’s Best Home Cook (2020) and hosts the Dish podcast. She has written three cookbooks and was awarded an OBE in 2022 for her contributions to hospitality and the NHS during the pandemic.

Ken Hom is the man who showed the British how to cook Asian food. A leading authority on Chinese cuisine, he is one of the most respected and celebrated TV chefs of all time. He is the author of almost 40 books, which have inspired millions of home cooks around the world. In Britain alone, the Ken Hom wok is found in one in seven kitchens. Ken Hom, who resides in France and in Thailand but travels tirelessly all over the world, continues to appear regularly as celebrity chef, write books and keep an involvement with restaurants worldwide.

Food writer Claudia Roden specialises in the cuisines of the Middle East, North Africa and the Mediterranean and in Jewish food. She was born in Egypt. Her books are said to have influenced what we eat in Britain today. She received a CBE in 2022 for services to culinary culture. In 2023 she received an Honorary Degree from the University of London for sparking an interest in the academic study of food.

Itamar Srulovich was born and raised in Jerusalem and trained on the job in various places in Tel-Aviv, where he met his wife, Sarit. Itamar and Sarit moved to London in 2004 and opened Middle Eastern restaurant Honey & Co in London in 2012, launching a grill house Honey & Smoke and food store Honey & Spice close behind. They have written four cookbooks, write a weekly recipe column for FT Weekend Magazine and host a podcast, Honey & Co: The Food Sessions. Be entertained with delicious recipes and food and travel stories from Sarit and Itamar on Instagram – @honeyandco.

This event takes place at the British Library, London. Please arrive no later than 15 minutes before the start time of the event. If you have specific access requirements please email customer@bl.uk

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.