From Albania to Zagreb: Eating the Balkans

Jelena Belgrave is a fermentation consultant, educator, recipe developer and flavours tinkerer who firmly believes that fermenting food is an essential skill. She entwines stories and knowledge from her Balkan heritage with Japanese macrobiotic training and continuously explores intersection of traditional fermentation cultures from across the globe. Jelena's work experience encompasses devising masterclasses for UCL's Institute of Making, exploring fermentation beyond borders for the Migration Museum, facilitating safe food exploration spaces for women refugees and teaching children and adults about sustainability of food fermentation. She is a member of the UK Fermenters Guild and workshops and events will always introduce you to new flavours, leave you inspired, excited and eager to find your new fermented condiment. @jelena.belgrave

Caroline Eden is an award-winning writer and book critic contributing to the travel, food and arts pages of the Guardian, Financial Times and the Times Literary Supplement. She is also the author of several food-focused books on the lands between Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Her new book, Green Mountains: Walking the Caucasus with Recipes, was released in January. @edentravels

Irina Janakievska is a Macedonian-British writer and recipe developer. She has contributed to the Guardian, Daily Telegraph, National Geographic, Olive Magazine, Foodnetwork US, Whetstone Magazine, and Pit Magazine, among others. She has featured on BBC Woman's Hour, BBC Radio London and Times Radio discussing Balkan cuisine. Her debut cookbook, The Balkan Kitchen (Quadrille, 2024) was shortlisted for the Jane Grigson Trust Award in 2023, and was awarded a Special Award by the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2025. She lives in south London with her husband and young son, cooking, researching and writing about Balkan history, food culture and culinary traditions. @balkankitchen

Aleksandar Taralezhkov is a Bulgaria-born, UK based chef and creative director. Graduating with an arts degree from Central Saint Martins in London, his journey into food came via design. During his London years he was exposed to some of the most inspiring minds from across the world of hospitality. His gradual transition to cooking led him to leaving the city for farming the countryside and embarking on an introspective journey to his Balkan roots. This culminated with the creation of his restaurant concept Dolma Bar on the Kentish coast. He is also one of the judges on MasterChef Bulgaria. Now based between Margate and Sofia he enjoys his creative culinary endeavours which combine his twin flair for meaningful design and passion for free-form cooking. @taralezhkov

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.