The Balkan Kitchen: Recipes and Stories from the Heart of the Balkans

WINNER OF THE 2025 JAMES BEARD AWARD FOR BEST INTERNATIONAL BOOK

WINNER OF THE 2025 BRITISH LIBRARY FOOD SEASON NARRATIVE COOKERY BOOK AWARD

WINNER OF A SPECIAL JURY AWARD AT THE GOURMAND WORLD COOKBOOK AWARDS 2025

ONE OF SAVEUR'S BEST COOKBOOKS OF 2024

SHORTLISTED FOR THE FORTNUM & MASON DEBUT COOKERY BOOK AWARD 2025

SHORTLISTED FOR THE JANE GRIGSON TRUST AWARD 2023

The Balkan Kitchen is a treasure trove of delicious recipes, history and personal stories. A book to cook and learn from, to get lost in the beauty of a colourful diverse culture…and make you dream of visiting the region. – Olia Hercules

The Balkan Kitchen achieves what only the best recipe books can achieve…It is a book to come to for the food and stay with for the stories. – Tara Wigley

Irina's food is rich with history that tells of a region at the crossroads of myriad peoples and cultures. – Melissa Thompson

In The Balkan Kitchen , Irina Janakievska gives a voice to the vast and varied dishes and cultural heritage of the Balkan region.

Explore this diverse and expansive region of cuisine with recipes including everything from Aubergine in Walnut Sauce and Leek, Lemon, and Olive Salad to Easter Roast Lamb and Chicken Paprikash, and of course sweet treats such as Vanilici Cookies and Chocolate Baklava. Irina's food is as vibrant and joyful as the stunning location photography and evocative essays, and with over half of the recipes being vegetarian or vegan, this is a book for all to enjoy the flavours of the Balkans.

With cultural anecdotes, history and personal stories, The Balkan Kitchen will be a book that inspires cooks around the world for years to come.