HQ lands cookbook celebrating modern African cuisine by Umah-Shaylor

HQ has landed a cookbook celebrating modern African cookery from food writer and presenter Lerato Umah-Shaylor

Lisa Milton, executive publisher, acquired world all-language rights for Africana from Bev James at Bev James Management. The book will publish on 12th May 2022. 

Umah-Shaylor's debut cookbook features recipes passed down the generations, as well as her own modern twists. They include fragrant Spice Island coconut fish curry from East Africa, chicken yassa from Senegal, lobster in vanilla from Comoros, Tunisian tagine, and South African sticky apricot pudding.

The publisher said: "Rich in flavour, tradition and offering a sense of wanderlust, Africana will bring the continent right to your kitchen."

Umah-Shaylor commented: "This book is inspired by my love of the African continent and all her peoples, the longing for the food I grew up with and my passion for bringing people together. I want to share the secrets of African cooking and its place on a global table. Africana embodies the spirit of togetherness and a great sense of adventure."

Milton added: "The second I met Lerato I was blown away by her energy, her enthusiasm and her imagination. And what she can do with ingredients! The cookery world has a lot to learn from the incredibly varied cuisines across the African continent—and Lerato is indisputably the cook to teach us."

James said: "We couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with the wonderful team at HQ in launching Lerato as a fresh, pioneering and essential new voice in cookery. Here at Bev James Management we pride ourselves on working with and supporting clients who are purpose-driven and who want to have a positive impact; Africana is a beautiful celebration of flavours and a true reflection of Lerato’s goal to inspire everyone to cook and share food with passion and compassion."