FAMILIES touched by cancer and a former MasterChef winner have contributed recipes to a new charity cookbook packed with recipes that evoke special memories for them.

Next month, CancerCare will publish Extra Helpings, a 200-page collection of recipes contributed by the charity’s clients, staff and volunteers and which have a unique significance to them, whether the favourite of a loved one or a comfort food that helped them during a particularly tough time.

The project is being supported by the 2019 winner of the BBC MasterChef programme Irini Tzortzoglou, from Cartmel, who has written the foreword and contributed several recipes to the book.

She is also hosting a launch event at Leighton Hall near Carnforth on October 24, where she will give a talk about her career in food and experiences on MasterChef.

“Cancer touches so many of us and our loved ones and CancerCare does wonderful work in so many different areas and deserves our gratitude, help and support,” she said.

“By buying the book you can help support thousands of people across our area who have been left devastated by a cancer diagnosis or grief.”  

Extra Helpings features a broad range of dishes and one of the contributors is Kath Jones from Bolton-le-Sands who submitted a recipe for a Bakewell Tart which was her dad Leslie’s favourite dessert.

Kath’s family were supported by CancerCare when Leslie was diagnosed with cancer of the bile duct and following his death in March 2020.

Leslie, his wife Jan, Kath and her brother Dave all received counselling to help them cope with the devastating diagnosis and Kath said talking therapy helped them all immensely during last year’s covid lockdown.

“Living with someone you love so dearly and knowing they are going to become very poorly and lose their life is extremely scary, overwhelming and it changes your life in every way,” said Kath.

“Having the help of the wonderful counsellors and volunteers to help families during this time is invaluable. We are so very grateful for the support they gave us to help us all through it.”

Tickets for the launch event at Leighton Hall are on sale now and the ticket price includes a signed copy of the book visit cancercare.org.uk/news-and-events/official-book-launch-extra-helpings-a-charity-cookbook