Quadrille lands Bradford's cookbook on Sierra Leone's cuisine

Quadrille is to publish Sweet Salone, a cookbook on the food of Sierra Leone by chef Maria Bradford.

The synopsis explains: "Bradford was born and raised in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, and her cooking celebrates the food and people of this small country on the coast of West Africa. From the story of her own great-grandmother, Madam Isata Kamara, who came to the country from Guinea as a teenager in the late 19th century, to her age-defying grandmother who still lives in Bo today, Bradford narrates her journey through the food of her family and home, showing the breadth of the ingredients, cooking styles and diverse inspiration behind the region’s key dishes."

Bradford writes: “Imagine mountains rising from the sea, beautiful beaches, rainforests, mangrove swamps, savanna grasslands and rivers. That’s Sierra Leone. A country so beautiful that the locals have nicknamed it ‘Sweet Salone’.” 

Publishing director Sarah Lavelle acquired world rights from Elise Dillsworth of Elise Dillsworth Agency. Sweet Salone will publish in hardback in the UK, US and Australia in September 2022. The book features location photography by Adam Hinton. 

Lavelle said: “I was entranced when I first read about Maria’s family history and her food, and when I met and talked to her about her ideas for Sweet Salone, I could instantly see how special and inspiring her book would be.”

Dillsworth commented: “I came across Maria on Instagram over a year ago and loved what she was doing with food and showcasing her heritage—especially as I am from Sierra Leone too. I'm delighted that Sweet Salone will be out in the world soon.”

Bradford added “'I am overjoyed to be working with Quadrille and to have the opportunity to tell the story of Sierra Leone through its food and give my small and beloved country a voice.”