HarperNorth gobbles up Bangladeshi recipe book from Shahnaz Ahsan

HarperNorth has won the rights to Shahnaz Ahsan’s "delicious culinary history of Bengali food", for publication in summer 2025.

Titled The Jackfruit Chronicles: Recipes and Memories from a British–Bangladeshi Kitchen, non-fiction commissioning editor Ben McConnell acquired world all-language rights directly from the author. 

Structured around pivotal moments from the author’s own family history, as well as detailing the stories of the wider Bangladeshi diaspora, The Jackfruit Chronicles "delves deep into the cultural tapestry of kitchens around the globe, taking readers on a journey that traverses Asia, Europe, and the United Kingdom over the past seven decades".

McConnell said of the acquisition: "The Jackfruit Chronicles is exactly the sort of book that I’ve been on the hunt for in this space for a long time – it’s a heartfelt tribute to the spirit of Bengali food and culture but, crucially, also depicts the resilience of those individuals who brought the flavours from this region to British shores."

About the book, the author said: "I’m delighted that the book has found a home at HarperNorth with Ben McConnell at the helm. This project has been years in the making, and I am excited to finally be sharing it with the world. I wanted my children to know our story and to have a collection of our family recipes so they can enjoy the same dishes that have been enjoyed for generations. I would love for readers – wherever they are from – to see themselves and their families reflected in this book, while recognising and honouring their own stories."