John Blake scoops Stark's student cookbook debut

John Blake Publishing has scooped the debut cookbook from Chris Stark, a BBC Radio 1 and 5 Live DJ who co-hosts the hit "That Peter Crouch Podcast".

Eat, Sleep, Zoom, Reheat: How to Survive and Thrive in your Student Kitchen will be published on 5th September 2020 by the Bonnier Books UK imprint. World rights were acquired by editor James Hodgkinson from Stark's management team.

Chef Tom Kerridge has given it the seal of approval, saying: “Finally, a cookbook for students who actually care about what they put in their mouths! I wish I had written it myself.” Brit Award winner Lewis Capaldi joked: “There's nothing that puts a smile on my face as much as Chris Stark's flavours exploding in my mouth.”

The book sees Stark team up with chef Nathan Eades, former head chef at the Michelin-starred Simpsons restaurant, to create “the ultimate student food solution”. Bonnier said: “The book will feature delicious and nutritious recipes for everyone including food for thought, food for sport, party food, one-pan wonders, breadline-time ration packs, DIY takeaway, date nights and seasonal celebrations. Most recipes are easily convertible to vegetarian and most can be made for under a fiver—cheaper than your last library fine.”

Stark commented: “I’m buzzing with excitement to get this book off the ground. So much so that even a global pandemic won't stop me! Well, it nearly did—but like everyone else during this time, we’ve adapted swiftly, and can now bring you the ultimate student cookbook for those people living at uni or those studying from home: Eat, Sleep, Zoom, Reheat. It’s bothered me for a long time that so many student cookbooks don’t properly represent the reality of what it’s like to be a student—not just the being skint and drunk (although these too) but the creativity, the camaraderie and the humour of a student kitchen. This book contains the lessons from my many mistakes during university to create the ultimate student food bible. I really hope it will help new students to not be intimidated by the kitchen, and to enjoy food that can genuinely help you through uni life, whilst saving you a few quid along the way. I am easily prouder of this than my dissertation.”

Hodgkinson added: “we’re thrilled to be publishing what ought to be a game-changing student cookery book. Chris has used all his trademark humour—and bravely leveraged his hard-won immunity to salmonella—to craft the ultimate self-help kit for students in the kitchen. These recipes are delicious, affordable, Instagrammable and can be made by anyone—regardless of their kitchen skills. It is the essential guide to bossing it in the university kitchen for the next generation of students.”