A new community cookbook, described as ‘part memoir, part how-to guide’, is being shared with care homes across the region to inspire older people to exchange stories of food, cooking, and connection.
The colourful publication, Savour & Share, is the culmination of a twelve-week creative programme delivered by the National Centre for Writing. The project was designed to foster community, storytelling, and creative expression through the universal language of food.
Distributed free of charge to older people’s care settings across Norfolk, the book features recipes, personal memories, and photographs contributed by participants. These evocative pieces range from tales of wartime rationing and working life to first holidays and the joys (and challenges) of childhoods shaped by limited means. Alongside these stories, the book also offers practical guidance for care practitioners who wish to run similar food-and-storytelling projects in their own settings.
Katie Cooper, Learning & Participation Producer at NCW, said:
‘Food is such a powerful and evocative tool for rediscovering memories and bringing them to life on the page and in the kitchen. Everyone gained so much from coming together and getting creative – whether that was writing down memories or creating dishes in the kitchen. The group still meet regularly to write and gossip, long after the course has finished.’
Earlier this year, participants aged 70–90 took part in the twelve-week learning and participation programme at Dragon Hall, our Literature House. Each week, the group explored themes such as objects, family connections, holidays, childhood favourites, and herbs and spices – writing and reminiscing over shared meals.
At the halfway point, they were joined by Sam Brown of Gingerlily Catering and Redwell Brewing, who helped participants bring their culinary memories to life, turning words into dishes to be shared around the table.
The project concluded with a celebratory feast at Dragon Hall, enjoyed by participants, their families, and NCW staff.
It is now hoped that Savour & Share will inspire others to cook, eat, and tell stories together, celebrating the personal and cultural connections that food brings.
Everyone gained so much from coming together and getting creative – whether that was writing down memories or creating dishes in the kitchen.
Following the success of this first programme, NCW is currently running a second iteration of Savour & Share – this time working with refugees, asylum seekers, and people with lived experience of forced migration, exploring how food can build bridges across cultures and communities.
To download a digital copy of the publication, click the button below.
Would you like a hard copy of Savour & Share for your community group or care setting? Send your request to [email protected].
‘Fish and Chips’ by Caroline Walker-Collison
My first memory of fish and chips is some friends and I on our way home from Brownies or Guides. There was nothing to beat going into North Lane chip shop and buying a six p’nth of chips in a specially configured, folded, newspaper ‘box’, which helped keep the chips warm on the way home. If we were lucky there’d be ‘krispies’ –crunchy pieces of batter produced when the fish was fried – too.
We would chat for a short time, then eat the rest while walking home at a decent pace – so as not to worry Mum by arriving home late.
My second fish-and-chip memory is less pleasant – sitting in my dad’s car on a regular visit to Leeds – to see Grandad and the Rugby League. I almost choked on a decent-sized fishbone. I remember feeling quite panicked at the time but soon recovered ready for the match.
I only ate fish fingers for many years to come…
Savour & Share is supported by Arts Council England, East of England Coop Community Cares Fund, The Linbury Trust and Simon Gibson Charitable Trust.
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