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Radically different: Food Junctions cookbook now available
11 November 2011
A new book, the result of a unique collaboration between UCL staff and students and London's local communities, has just been published.
The Food Junctions Cookbook explores the complex relationships between food, human society and nature. Some 70 contributors share their 'living recipes' for things to cook, things to think about and above all things to do. It mixes practice, politics and pleasure and ties people together through a common interest in food.
The book takes the word recipe both literally and metaphorically, combining insights and inspirational stories from all round the world; how to taste wine, open up a catering co-op, deal with food waste, prevent childhood obesity, make delicious dishes from wild plants and grow food in the city.
In line with UCL's tradition of being a radically different university, The Food Junctions Cookbook is radical in its approach to knowledge creation. Two students, Marina Chang (UCL Development Planning Unit) and Lukas Meusburger (UCL Economics alumnus), took up the task of collecting and editing contributions by professors, students, famous food writers, community groups and individuals alike to produce something unique and unprecedented. The editors highlight the importance of community in the book.
It has been both inspiring and humbling to follow the progress of Food Junctions. The team has managed to engage so many people in so many ways of thinking about one the most basic elements of every human being's life.
Vice-Provost (International) Professor Michael Worton
Marina Chang said: "The Food Junctions Cookbook reflects a new model of innovation that involves communities collaborating and building on one another's efforts rather than enclosing knowledge. This model encourages diversity and creativity through openness and inclusivity, offering a good example that innovation can come from many different walks of life and people."
The Food Junctions Cookbook is part of a wider student led initiative that began with the Food Junctions Festival (2010) - a series of events and activities in King's Cross which brought together 150 staff and students form 27 UCL departments with a wide cross-section of London's communities. In continuation, Foodpaths Movement (2011) joined groups of people together around a community kitchen table located in a community garden to discuss issues such as food and cooperatives or food and spirituality.
At the launch event for the book, UCL Vice-Provost (International) Professor Michael Worton said: "It has been both inspiring and humbling to follow the progress of Food Junctions. The team has managed to engage so many people in so many ways of thinking about one the most basic elements of every human being's life."
The book is licensed under Creative Commons and can be downloaded for free at the Food Junctions website (links below). But just like food itself, a "real" book is an object that speaks to all the five senses and hard copies can be bought on Amazon. All sales are not for profit and will be used to continue this project and to support local communities around London.
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