Cook and Thrive, the cookbook
16th April 2026 | David Andrassy
A powerful expression of life, one bite at a time. How a healthy eating project turned into a beautiful cookbook evoking personal histories, smells from childhood, and memories of home.
Cooking a cultural dish can be deeply meaningful for someone with cancer – it becomes a form of self-care that connects them to their roots, identity, and community during an uncertain time.
Cultural dishes often carry personal history: smells from childhood, family traditions, or memories of home. In preparing these foods, the person may feel comforted and grounded, even as they navigate a changing body and life.
Our Cook and Thrive project offered service users opportunities to recreate a beloved dish from ‘back home’ – providing a reassuring sense of familiarity and control – two things that cancer can often take away.
Last year we received a grant from Manchester City Council that enabled us to turn some of the service users’ recipes into a professionally produced cookbook. The result – Cook and Thrive: One-pot recipes to get you eating well and living well – is a fantastic celebration of identity, resilience, and connection. A powerful expression of life, ‘one bite at a time.’
The cookbook would not have been possible without the help and support of our service users, who generously shared their recipes, stories, and memories. We extend our heartfelt thanks to them – as well as to the staff and volunteers – for being part of the Cook and Thrive project. Also, a big thank you to Rupert Aikman of Healthy Eating Solutions for facilitating the cooking sessions and Manchester City Council for funding the project.
The fabulous, hardback Cook and Thrive cookbook is available for just £19.99. To get your copy, drop us a line at info@can-survive.org.uk
