Blooms & Beyond: Jewish Food, Family and Legacy

Talk: Noshtalgia: The Bloom's Story 1920-2010

2pm – 3pm

Author and social historian Pam Fox shares the extraordinary story of Blooms, the iconic family-run restaurant that became a cornerstone of kosher dining in London. Based on rich oral history interviews, her talk explores how a humble East End café grew into an internationally renowned institution. This is an opportunity to hear insights from her latest book Noshstalgia:The Blooms’ Story 1920–2010: , and reflect on themes of migration, memory and food.

Books will be available to buy on the day and Pam will be available to sign books

Guided Walk: A Taste of History

3pm – 4.30pm

Join us for a specially curated walk exploring stories of enterprise, resilience and business embedded in the landscape of Willesden Jewish Cemetery.

Discover the lives of pioneering figures from the worlds of food and commerce, including:

• Bluma Feld and Morris Bloom, whose names are synonymous with East End Jewish gastronomy
• John Yudkin, author of Pure, White and Deadly, who challenged Britain’s relationship with sugar
• The Matlow family, creators of Swizzels Love Hearts
• Jack Cohen, whose legacy lives on in the Tesco name
• And visionaries behind Lyons Corner Houses, who revolutionised British dining culture

Each stop reveals a compelling story of innovation, cultural exchange, and the enduring bond between food and identity.

Information on what to expect when visiting a Jewish cemetery:

https://www.willesdenjewishcemetery.org.uk/visitor-guidance

Free parking is available on site.

Host or Publisher House of Life at Willesden Jewish Cemetery