Hungry Heart: A Story of Food and Love by Clare Finney

Not the Christmas dinner, simnel cake, seder plate or wedding breakfast recipes and traditions expected in a book titled Hungry Heart, but a truly personal offering. And so much better for it being that.

This is a charming and funny book that everyone can identify with. From the first breakup when the author's brother made her some cheesy pasta to her divorced father microwaving scrambled egg, each of these vignettes of the trials of life invoke the readers own memories. For each scenario I was reminded how my family responded in a similar fashion - and all included food in some way. Nothing fancy but worth ten times the value of cordon bleu meals when the food is made from a place of love and care.

With each of these tales comes the recipe, such as it is. Included in this is the school packed lunch, which really did make me laugh because it was what my daughter had when she was at school (as well as everyone else): Dairy Dippers, cheese strings, yogurts in tubes and a box of raisins.

​The author is a born-and-bred Londoner whose professional career as an award-winning food journalist was forged in the capital, notably writing for Borough Market's publication. The book captures the distinct lifestyle of the city, exploring urban dating dynamics, office cake culture, and the metropolitan restaurant scene that anchors her narrative.

This book shows how food marks a time and a place in a personal way, something that affects us all. Nostalgic, heartwarming, an enjoyable book from the heart.

---

Published by Aurum on 8 June 2023.
​Review copy supplied by the publisher.

​

Capital Chronicles: London Through Time ​