Groundbreaking recipes designed to rekindle the joy of taste and flavour for people living with cancer

Ryan created his Life Kitchen cookery school in memory of his mother, whose cancer treatment dulled her taste buds and took away her enjoyment of food. It became his mission to discover whether there was a way to bring that pleasure back.

Working with Professor Barry Smith (founder of the Centre for the Study of the Senses at UCL), he picks out ingredients, textures and techniques that reignite that spark of enjoyment in eating. He does this with brilliantly clever combinations of ingredients, often using the fifth taste, umami, to heighten and amplify the flavours in his dishes – all of which he teaches at his cookery classes, which have been hosted throughout the UK.

With 70 vibrant and easy recipes, including Carbonara with peas and mint, Whole roasted feta with olive and green chilli, Parmesan cod with salt and vinegar cucumber, Roasted harissa salmon with fennel salad and Miso white chocolate with frozen berries, Ryan offers bright and exciting dishes for everyday living. These will be delicious for everyone to eat – after all, a meal surrounded by friends and family is an essential part of fully enjoying life.

With beautiful recipe photography by Clare Winfield and illustrations by Lara Harwood, this inspiring cookbook aims to give back the joyful sensation of taste and flavour to everyone living with cancer treatment, and their families.