How many times have you read a good book and felt your stomach grumble at the food being described? Basing itself around this exact premise, The Little Library Café is a brilliantly original blog in which Kate Young cooks and bakes food inspired by her favourite works of fiction.

This blog offers the perfect excuse to delve into all one’s most well-loved literary feasts with recipes from books including Neapolitan Pizza (My Brilliant Friend), Quince and Meringue (The Owl and The Pussycat), Sticky Ginger Cake (Five on a Treasure Island), Boeuf on Daube (To the Lighthouse) and many, many more.
Little Library Cafe Recipe for Apple Tart

All culinary bases are covered with categories ranging from the sweet (Biscuits, Desserts, Sweets and Chocolates, and Cakes) to the savoury (Savoury, Vegetarian, Drinks and Christmas) and everything in between (Brunch and Afternoon Tea).

Clearly an accomplished cook, Kate also has a keen eye for the aesthetic with all dishes beautifully presented, styled and photographed and it is little wonder that she has a book coming out later this year.

We love that each recipe starts with a quote from the book that inspired it and found ourselves yearning for a time when a slice of freshly baked apple pie might be described as “perfectly ripping!” (The Railway Children). Judging by the photos, all Kate’s food is perfectly ripping and it is worth remembering that she provides provides a private catering service as well as supperclubs.

For culinary inspiration, a wonderful pointer to some must-read books and a welcome nostalgic turn, all in one sitting, bookmark The Little Library Café, one of our new favourite food blogs.

March 2017

Emily Jenkinson