‘Meet Our Mothers’ Cookbook Highlights Bradford’s Diverse Food Heritage

New publication showcases recipes and stories from across Bradford

A new cookbook titled Meet Our Mothers has been launched in Bradford, featuring a collection of recipes and personal stories from local residents. The project is part of Bradford’s year as the UK City of Culture 2025 and aims to reflect the city’s multicultural community through food.

Community contributions shape the cookbook

The cookbook includes a variety of dishes representing Bradford’s diverse population, such as Ukrainian cheese pancakes, Greek rice, lamb biryani, and Ghanaian beef stew. Recipes and accompanying stories were submitted by local people following a public call in 2024. The selection process involved engagement workshops with community groups held between late 2024 and early 2025.

Artist Deepa Mann-Kler curated the chosen recipes and stories. Contributors took part in a photoshoot at NEET in Northcliffe Park, where their dishes were professionally prepared and styled for the book.

Augmented Reality brings stories to life

Some of the recipes and food stories in Meet Our Mothers are enhanced through Augmented Reality (AR) technology. This feature can be accessed via a free companion app called Meet Our Mothers Cookbook AR, allowing users to explore selected stories interactively.

Availability and further information

• The cookbook is available to purchase on the Bradford 2025 website and at the Box Office. Details on opening times can be found here.
• More information about the project is available on the Bradford 2025 website: Meet Our Mothers.

Project background and support

Meet Our Mothers was commissioned by Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture and is based on an original idea by Deepa Mann-Kler, Akeelah Bertram, and Shanaz Gulzar. The project received support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Helen Featherstone, Director for England North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, commented on the project’s significance in preserving Bradford’s multicultural culinary heritage during its City of Culture year.

Reflections from project contributors

Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, described the cookbook as a reflection of Bradford’s cultural diversity and the connections formed through food.

Artist Deepa Mann-Kler highlighted the emotional and cultural importance of the project, noting that the collection serves as an archive of identity and a celebration of survival through food. She also emphasised how the use of Augmented Reality enhances the storytelling experience without diminishing cultural heritage.

Source: Bradford 2025