ECB Published a Cookbook

For cricketers, whether amateur enthusiasts or seasoned professionals, the lunch or tea break often provides a comforting respite amidst the highs and lows of the game. While runs might be scarce or wickets elusive, a well-prepared cricket tea has the power to lift spirits and turn disappointment into delight.

A Campaign That Brings People Together

This unique bond between cricket and food has inspired the creation of “Taste of Cricket”, a vibrant cookbook celebrating diversity through the shared joy of eating. Launching on November 12, the book is a flavourful tribute to the universal language of food, seamlessly blending it with the love of cricket.

Part of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) “Taste of Cricket” initiative, the cookbook reflects a summer campaign that engaged over 2,000 people across cricket clubs in England and Wales. More than just a collection of recipes, it’s a celebration of the community spirit cricket fosters, featuring dishes that evoke memories of Sunday roasts, summer barbecues, and, of course, the beloved cricket teas.

Available digitally in multiple languages—English, Hindi, Urdu, and Welsh—the cookbook showcases contributions from cricket stars, celebrity chefs, and dedicated grassroots volunteers. Each recipe tells a story of culture, heritage, and passion that connects cricket lovers around the world.

Signature Dishes from the Cricketing and Culinary World

The recipes in “Taste of Cricket” are as varied as its contributors:

• Ben Stokes offers a slow-cooked BBQ chicken, paying homage to his love for summer gatherings.

• Isa Guha shares her Bengali prawn curry, inspired by her mother’s flavourful cooking.
• Adil Rashid presents a Moroccan tagine, a favourite dish from Lord’s kitchen enjoyed by cricketing legends.
• Ainsley Harriott, the renowned chef, contributes Jamaican beef patties that evoke his childhood and admiration for the West Indies cricket teams of the 80s and 90s.
• Stephen Fry brings his honey and cinnamon buns, humorously admitting they reflect his better talents off the pitch than on it.

Local cricket clubs also share their cherished recipes, such as Shepherds Bush CC’s classic Jamaican jerk chicken and Llandaff Cricket Club’s innovative leek bhaji fusion. These grassroots contributions highlight the diverse culinary traditions that enrich the cricketing community.

Cricket, Food, and Memories

Among the contributors is England batter Maia Bouchier, who credits her mother’s potato salad for keeping her energetic during her junior cricket days. 

“My mum’s potato salad has always been one of my favourites, and for my two brothers as well,” Bouchier recalls. “It’s a traditional potato salad, very simple, and it became a regular at our cricket teas when I was growing up. I still ask my mum for it now. A lot of people aren’t so keen on gherkins, but we eat a lot of them in my family and my dad always insisted they had to be in there!”

For Bouchier, food represents more than nourishment; it’s a bridge that fosters connections and camaraderie, particularly in the male-dominated teams she grew up playing with.

Richard Thompson, chair of the ECB, describes the cookbook as a heartfelt tribute to cricket, food, and the cherished traditions that unite them. He highlights its role in showcasing recipes passed down through generations, each one steeped in cultural significance. 

“This cookbook takes you on a journey through cultures, stories, and cherished generational recipes. We’re thrilled to present a collection that celebrates the unique connection between cricket and food, and we’re honoured to share the moving stories of childhood, community and heritage that so many have contributed,” said Richard Thompson.

A Culinary Gift for a Cause

Celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott highlights the cookbook’s diversity, calling it a treasure trove of recipes that span time and continents. 

Reflecting on cricket’s unique all-day format, he noted, “The game starts at 11 am, allowing time for breakfast, lunch, tea breaks and maybe even a drink afterwards. I hope you’ll agree that my Jamaican beef patties are perfect for a match tea.”

“Taste of Cricket” makes an ideal gift for food and cricket enthusiasts, or anyone seeking culinary inspiration. All proceeds support five charitable organations—Chance to Shine, ACE, Lord’s Taverners, the MCC Foundation, and SACA—ensuring that cricket becomes even more accessible to future generations.

With its vibrant recipes and heart-warming stories, “Taste of Cricket” invites you to savour the flavours of cricketing culture while celebrating the sport’s power to unite people through food.