The Kitchen Front

Description

From the bestselling author of The Chilbury Ladies' Choir comes an unforgettable story inspired by the true events of a BBC-sponsored wartime cooking competition. 'A gorgeous novel about making the best of things during difficult times, whilst celebrating the importance of sisterhood and friendship' - Jill Mansell 'The Great British Bake Off set in World War Two . . . an enchanting hug of a novel' - Cathy Kelly Some wars will be fought at home . . . Two years into the Second World War, and German U-boats are frequently disrupting Britain's supply of food. In an effort to help housewives with food rationing, a BBC radio programme called The Kitchen Front launches a new cooking contest - and the grand prize is a job as the program's first-ever female co-host. For young widow Audrey winning the competition could be a chance to pay off her husband's debts and keep a roof over her children's heads. However, her estranged sister, Gwendoline, is equally set on success even if her own kitchen maid, Nell, is competing against her. And then there is Zelda, a London-trained chef desperate to succeed in a male-dominated profession - and harbouring a secret that will change everything . . .

Jennifer Ryan is the author of The Chilbury Ladies' Choir. She lives in Ireland with her husband and two children. Originally from Kent and then London, she was previously a non-fiction book editor.

Jennifer Ryan's wonderful ability to weave an atmospheric, wise and warm story makes The Kitchen Front entirely comforting and unputdownable. Like The Great British Bake Off set in World War Two, with redoubtable heroines you'll cheer for, The Kitchen Front is an enchanting hug of a novel written with Jennifer Ryan's usual skill -- Cathy Kelly What a dream of a book! Absolute perfection! Nostalgia, rivalry, friendship and fun - a real treat. Beautifully detailed - you will be right there with a cast of vivid characters, cooking their way to a new life. You will LOVE it -- Veronica Henry on The Kitchen Front A gorgeous novel about making the best of things during difficult times, whilst celebrating the importance of sisterhood and friendship -- Jill Mansell on The Kitchen Front Rich in historical detail, The Kitchen Front, is a heart-warming account of the power of friendship. An uplifting tribute to female solidarity in challenging times. -- Fiona Valpy A delight! Jennifer Ryan cooks up a fresh take on the popularity of World War Two fiction and brings the battle into the heart of the wartime home. A charming blend of intriguing characters and a high-stakes cookery competition, served with the perfect amount of pathos and humour. Deserving of a historical Hollywood handshake! -- Hazel Gaynor, bestselling author of The Bird in the Bamboo Cage, on The Kitchen Front Evocative, nostalgic and comforting with a wonderful story of female friendship. A delight -- Alex Brown, author of The Secret of Orchard Cottage, on The Kitchen Front Certain to delight lovers of historical fiction and TV cooking competitions * Kirkus Reviews * Delightful -- People magazine Delightful . . . it manages to be sad and funny, exciting and heartwarming, all at the same time. Quite an achievement -- Barbara Erskine on The Chilbury Ladies' Choir Wonderful . . . a master of plotting and working in different registers . . . Readers with an appetite for homefront World War Two novels will find this deeply satisfying * Publishers Weekly * The writing glows with emotional intelligence. This atmospheric debut, based on the author's own family history, had me sniffing copiously -- Daily Mail on The Chilbury Ladies' Choir Intrigue, romance and an unforgettable cast of characters who aren't always as they appear . . . a charming slice of English wartime life that warms the soul like a hot toddy -- Martha Hall Kelly, New York Times bestselling author of Lilac Girls, on The Chilbury Ladies' Choir