Janakievska, Macki and Sakarah shortlisted for the Jane Grigson Trust Award

Three "extremely impressive" books by Irina Janakievska, Dina Macki and Keshia Sakarah have been shortlisted for the Jane Grigson Trust Award for New Food and Drink Writers.

Janakievska’s The Balkan Kitchen is scheduled to be published by Hardie Grant in spring 2024 while Macki’s Bahari: Recipes from an Omani Kitchen and Beyond is to be published by Dorling Kindersley in February 2024. Sakarah’s Caribe’: A Cookbook with History will be published by Hardie Grant in spring 2024.

Created in memory of British food writer Jane Grigson, the award is made to a first-time writer whose book has been commissioned but not yet published.

In the spirit of Grigson and her writing, the award is for a non-fiction book on food and drink “in the widest sense”. That ranges from any genre—cookbook, memoir, travel, history. It is open to UK citizens and to foreign nationals who have been resident in the UK for more than three years.

Chair of the judges Donald Sloan said: “This year’s shortlist is extremely impressive. Providing rich contextual commentary alongside recipes, the authors explore the distinct culinary traditions of particular geographical locations. We have no doubt these first-time authors are destined for success.”

Joining Sloan on the judging panel are Jimi Famurewa, Jeremy Lee, Chetna Makan and Linda Challis.

The winning book will be announced on 14th March and its author will receive a cheque for £2,000. Runners-up will receive £100 book tokens. All shortlisted authors will receive a copy of The Best of Jane Grigson (Grub Street Publishing).