One of only four girls from the 160 children in her primary school to pass the eleven plus, Sylvia Vetta was the first in her family to enjoy higher education and got to enjoy that post-WWII wonder: upward mobility. While battling racism in Smethwick in the West Midlands during the most racist election in British history, changed her life. The slogan bandied by the supporters of the Conservative candidate was, 'If you want a n***er for a neighbour, Vote Labour.' By chance she met Indian-born Atam Vetta. Being less than 21 years of age, her boss could legally inform her parents of her young man and his racial background without Sylvia knowing of it. Sylvia and Atam married anyway and 55 years later, they're still married. When Sylvia married Atam, mixed relationships were rare and viewed with hostility, not just in the UK. In 1966, they were illegal in South Africa and in most of the southern states of the USA (until Loving v Virginia). In India they are not illegal, but many upper-caste Indians do not approve of marriage outside of caste. Sylvia's story embraces a revolutionary change in attitudes in the UK. Marriages and partnerships like hers are no longer rare and it is predicted that by 2075, the majority of the population will be of mixed ancestry. She was plunged into a challenging new reality. Through Atam, she learned about glass ceilings for ethnic minority Brits. Atam's research in quantitative genetics confronted institutional and individual racism with the knowledge that discrimination had been justified by scientific racism. Atam set about helping to expose those lies. Nine months in the USA opened her eyes to the probability that she was more disadvantaged by being a woman than being married to a man of colour. Changing career from teaching to business, she entered into a world where women were mostly excluded. Sylvia set about changing that, creating a vibrant and successful business career. Peppered with facts and research, Sylvia's life showcases the personal within the political, the successes and setbacks of forging a fairer, more tolerant and better Britain. Part of a unique demographic that challenges traditions, Sylvia's life epitomises its clashes, its frustration, and its opportunities. Now on her third career as a writer, Sylvia explores what we have in common, while being honest about the challenges. The ultimate prize is an enhanced understanding that comes from 'walking in someone else's shoes' and the creativity that comes from crossing cultures and allowing cream to rise. Food of Love is a poignant account of changes to our society from the mostly untold perspective of a white woman married to a man of colour. Recipes relishing the difference flow through the narrative. The recipes at the end of chapters reflect the diversity diet in our diet that rises with the diversity in the population. With food comes love and with love comes hope.

This lavishly illustrated book takes readers on a journey through the history and production of the world's most seductive confection: chocolate. Through the eyes of food critics, chefs, journalists, and historians, this book explores the rich history of chocolate, along with a modern-day investigation of its many flavors and forms. Learn how the cocoa bean, first enjoyed by the Aztecs, has traveled around the globe to produce innumerable variations of chocolate. In the sixteenth century, chocolate was consumed as a highly-spiced drink attributed with curative, even aphrodisiacal, powers. Entrepreneurs like the Cadbury brothers in Bournville, England, Dr. James Baker in Massachusetts, and Milton S. Hershey in Pennsylvania made it possible for modern chocoholics to indulge daily in this once unattainable luxury. This bestseller, first published in 1996, is brought up to date with a guide to the finest purveyors of chocolate worldwide. Illustrated with vintage advertising posters and chocolate packages, fine paintings, and lavish, specially-commissioned photographs, The Book of Chocolate is completed with ten sinfully good recipes.

Just like many pandemic-driven Americans, Europeans are turning on their ovens and rediscovering their roots through baking. This collection of nearly one hundred recipes is presented with elegant yet friendly flair by Laurel Kratochvila, an American-born, boulangerie-trained baker with her own Jewish bakery and bagel shop in Berlin. Each chapter is dedicated to a certain kind of baked product-breads, brioches and enriched doughs, viennoiseries and laminated pastries, tartes and biscuits-and includes foundational recipes and time-honored techniques for dough-shaping, fermentation, seasoning, and fillings. Sprinkled throughout the book are profiles introducing readers to eleven other European bakers who are turning out delicious pastries and breads that reflect the cultural heritage of their home cities of Paris, Warsaw, Copenhagen, Madrid, London, and Lisbon. Recipes such as Baltic rye bread, toasted sesame challah, elderflower maritozzi, honey and fig tropezienne, lamb and fennel sausage rolls, soft pretzels, and spicy ginger caramel shortbreads combine Old World traditions with twenty-first century flavors. Filled with luscious photography, and suitable for bakers at every level of experience, this sophisticated yet accessible guide to home baking is crammed with centuries of European history.

Curl up with the perfect cosy, comforting Christmas romance.When Beth Brown loses her job and her boyfriend in the space of twenty-four hours, she thinks life can't get any worse. That's until she finds herself in the depths of the English countryside working for chef, Rocco di Castri. Not only does she have to deal with his legendary moods, but she's also expected to get his chaotic schedule and workload in check, all while she's nursing a broken heart. It's not long before Rocco's idyllic home starts to work its magic and soon she sees a softer side to her boss too. And as the festive season approaches, Beth dares to look forward to everything the perfect country Christmas has to offer - and perhaps some romance of her own. Until news of an unexpected proposal threatens to put pay to all Beth's plans. Will Beth get her happily-ever-after? Maybe, this Christmas... A festive gem from Jill Steeples, perfect for fans of Cathy Bramley, Heidi Swain and Julie Houston. Please note this title was previously published as Christmas at Whitefriars. What readers say about Jill Steeples: 'I thoroughly enjoyed this book from the very first page to the very last. A really great winter read, warm and cosy throughout. A very easy to rate 5 stars.' 'A brilliant story with all the right ingredients. Love laughter tears and smiles.' 'A feel-good story full of laughs, romance and caring with a few surprises along the way. This book is just what you need when the sun is shining on a chilly spring day.' 'Jill Steeples writing has a nice fast pace and a great easy flow. I love the feelgood factor of her stories. They always manage to put a big smile on my face.'

Curl up with the perfect cosy, comforting Christmas romance.When Beth Brown loses her job and her boyfriend in the space of twenty-four hours, she thinks life can't get any worse. That's until she finds herself in the depths of the English countryside working for chef, Rocco di Castri. Not only does she have to deal with his legendary moods, but she's also expected to get his chaotic schedule and workload in check, all while she's nursing a broken heart. It's not long before Rocco's idyllic home starts to work its magic and soon she sees a softer side to her boss too. And as the festive season approaches, Beth dares to look forward to everything the perfect country Christmas has to offer - and perhaps some romance of her own. Until news of an unexpected proposal threatens to put pay to all Beth's plans. Will Beth get her happily-ever-after? Maybe, this Christmas... A festive gem from Jill Steeples, perfect for fans of Cathy Bramley, Heidi Swain and Julie Houston. Please note this title was previously published as Christmas at Whitefriars. What readers say about Jill Steeples: 'I thoroughly enjoyed this book from the very first page to the very last. A really great winter read, warm and cosy throughout. A very easy to rate 5 stars.' 'A brilliant story with all the right ingredients. Love laughter tears and smiles.' 'A feel-good story full of laughs, romance and caring with a few surprises along the way. This book is just what you need when the sun is shining on a chilly spring day.' 'Jill Steeples writing has a nice fast pace and a great easy flow. I love the feelgood factor of her stories. They always manage to put a big smile on my face.'