Bread and War: A Ukrainian Story of Food, Bravery and Hope

(Hardback)

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Description

Felicity Spector is a news producer and Instagram and Substack food writer with over 130,000 followersAfter two years of repeated bombing, Ukrainian cafes and food suppliers have become symbols of resistanceVolunteers have shored up state efforts to ensure good food reaches even the most dangerous areasThis is a first-hand account of working with army chefs, food trucks and bombed out cafe owners. Bearing witness to bravery and creativity as well as suffering and repeated traumaWith two plate sections, and 20 recipes at the back

Reviews

'This is a truly inspiring book about eating, cooking, and growing food at a time of war. Full of extraordinary human stories, both of loss and fortitude, in the midst of Russias invasion' Jon Snow

A wonderful book. Felicity Spector writes vividly about the role played by food in wartime Ukraine, and the brave and enterprising volunteers who bake and cook it. She is an intrepid traveller and reporter. At a time when Russia is seeking to wipe out Ukraines culture including its cuisine Spector celebrates the meals that keep Ukrainian soldiers fed, and the nation's spirit aliveLuke Harding, author of Invasion: Russias Bloody War and Ukraines Fight for Survival, shortlisted for the Orwell Prize and Peterson Literary Prize

'A beautifully written account of what I call 'resistance through care'. Important stories about brave people showing utmost resilience one freshly baked loaf at a time. A brave, necessary account of resilience and skill and the power of bread and connection' Olia Hercules

'This is a very special book. Extraordinary and deeply inspiring. Stories of kindness, bravery and love shine from these pages' Nigel Slater

'Bread and War nourishes the soul like a slice of freshly baked Ukrainian sourdough. Felicity Spectors compelling account of her mission to bring bread to the soldiers and villagers on the desolate frontline in mobile bakeries is gently heroic and humane. Reading it is like sharing a comforting meal with strangers in times of distress. It offers glimpses of humour and humanity in a landscape scarred by ferocious inhumanity. It is all the more poignant for taking place in the country that had been the worlds breadbasket until the war. Felicity must be a one off: a renowned food critic who has the courage to swap the ethereal detachment of writing about food for the earthy engagement of delivering it to one of the most dangerous places on earth' Matt Frei, news editor and presenter, Channel 4 News

'Food is national security. Food is economy. It is employment, energy, history. Food is everything' Chef Jos Andrs, Founder of World Central Kitchen

Author Bio

A senior producer for Channel 4 News, Felicity Spector has been a television journalist for 34 years, starting her career covering the fall of the Communist bloc and the end of the old Soviet Union. She was appointed as ITN Moscow producer in 1990-91 and visited Ukraine when it declared independence. An influential Instagrammer and Substacker, she has built a following of more than 130,000 with a fascinating account that depicts her after work adventures in restaurants and home baking. Follow her on social media: @felicityspector