Chef at helm of Sunderland kitchen releases free book for cancer patients

A chef at the helm of a life-line cookery school in Sunderland has released a free book for people whose taste buds have been affected by cancer treatment.
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Ryan Riley founded Life Kitchen, the UK’s first cancer cookery school, at the converted Lodge in Mowbray Park last year, with Nigella Lawson cutting the ribbon.

Ryan’s style of cooking, inspired by his late mother Krista’s battle with cancer, focuses of ingredients which are rich in umami – the fifth sense – such as aged cheeses, mushrooms and soy sauce, or those that stimulate the trigeminal nerve between the eyes, nose and mouth, such as mint or horseradish.

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A Life Kitchen Christmas is out on December 1A Life Kitchen Christmas is out on December 1
A Life Kitchen Christmas is out on December 1

Now, he’s preparing to release his second cookbook, A Life Kitchen Christmas; a free, limited edition cookbook for people living with cancer, published on December 1, 2020.

Ryan teamed up with fellow chef Kimberley Duke and Moorish to create the book which contains more than twenty flavour-charged, creative and accessible recipes. With only 7,000 copies available, A Life Kitchen Christmas can be ordered through Ryan’s website and is completely free, bar the £2.95 postage fee.

Following an appearance cooking for This Morning last week, more than 3,000 copies have already been ordered.

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Ryan, who lives in County Durham, said: “This year has been so tough for everyone but particularly for those living with cancer and I wanted to give back. A Life Kitchen Christmas seemed like the perfect way to do so. Using our science-backed knowledge, we’ve created these delicious recipes in the hope it helps provide the tools for a special Christmas.”

Ryan Riley's second cookbookRyan Riley's second cookbook
Ryan Riley's second cookbook

A Life Kitchen Christmas draws on the founding principle of Ryan’s first cookbook to make hosting Christmas that little bit easier. Inspired by the Christmas classics, the cookbook comprises three chapters, The Night before Christmas, The Main Event and Boxing Day & Beyond, and includes a choice of recipes such as Harissa and cinnamon Christmas nuts, Camembert and chestnut filo Christmas crackers, Sweet-and-sour sprouts and Mince pie tarts with miso white chocolate ganache, along with secret recipes for Ryan’s famous roasties, Mam’s (cauliflower cheese) jackets and Nana Joy’s stuffing.

Ryan was in Sunderland last month to give away hundreds of free packed lunches and bake at home mac ‘n cheeses to schoolchildren in the city. He pitched up a Covid-secure trailer outside The Lodge to give out the meals.

The Washington-born chef’s transformation of the once run-down Lodge, which dates back to 1856, has seen him win numerous awards for his inventiveness.

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Last year, it won the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) North East Regional Awards for Planning Excellence and this year it’s been awarded a Building Project of the Year award by Constructing Excellence North East.

Ryan at The Lodge in Mowbray Park, from where he served hundreds of free school meals during half-termRyan at The Lodge in Mowbray Park, from where he served hundreds of free school meals during half-term
Ryan at The Lodge in Mowbray Park, from where he served hundreds of free school meals during half-term

*A Life Kitchen Christmas, released on December 1, is available to pre-order online now at lifekitchen.co.uk. The cookbook is limited edition, with only 7,000 copies available and is completely free, bar the £2.95 postage fee.

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