The Big Tasty Read, a food-inspired book initiative, was launched by the BBC in partnership with The Reading Agency during the Bradford Literature Festival that began on June 30, 2025.

This campaign aims to inspire people across the UK to rediscover the joy of reading through the theme of food, particularly as research indicates that half of adults do not read regularly due to distractions.

Grace Dent highlighted the dual pleasures of reading and eating, hoping to ignite a renewed passion for reading through this campaign.

The Reading Agency has curated a list of 22 titles that blend fiction and memoir, showcasing the connection between food, culture, and storytelling, with contributions from librarians, booksellers, and an expert advisory panel.

Among the featured titles is the third reprinting of 'Tales from the Kitchen' by indie publisher Fox & Windmill, which emphasizes the cultural significance of food in storytelling.

Following the launch, Bradford Libraries will host a series of events, workshops, and book clubs themed around food and reading, which will continue throughout 2025.

Stephen James-Yeoman from the BBC emphasized the importance of food-related stories in enriching both reading and life, while Karen Napier, CEO of The Reading Agency, expressed hopes that the campaign will engage diverse readers with literature.

The initiative is backed by research showing that individuals who select books aligned with their interests are more likely to enjoy reading and experience reduced anxiety and depression.

Previous initiatives like The Big Sporting Read and The Big Eurovision Read have demonstrated success, resulting in a 54% average increase in library loans for featured titles during their campaigns.

The Big Tasty Read aims to replicate this success by encouraging more adults to engage with literature through food-themed stories.