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Guardian Faber Publishing Comfort Eating The Joy of Secret Snacks and Naughty Nibbles.
The foods we turn to behind closed doors are deeply personal, steeped in nostalgia and topped with a healthy dollop of guilty pleasure. In Comfort Eating, Grace Dent throws open her kitchen cupboards to reveal why we hold these secret snacks and naughty nibbles so dear to our hearts.
Exploring her go-to comfort foods through a series of joyous encounters, Grace reflects on the memories they uncover and pays tribute to her parents, the people who taught her what comfort eating truly means. Along the way, she catches up with some famous friends to chat about their own favourites - from Jo Brand's fried bread sandwich and Russell T. Davies' 'butterpepperrice' to Scarlett Moffat's crushed-Wotsits-topped beans on toast and many, many more . . .
So grab a plate and pull up a unfussy, honest and filled to the brim with heartwarming stories and comfort food tales, Comfort Eating is the perfect treat for food lovers everywhere.
Exploring her go-to comfort foods through a series of joyous encounters, Grace reflects on the memories they uncover and pays tribute to her parents, the people who taught her what comfort eating truly means. Along the way, she catches up with some famous friends to chat about their own favourites - from Jo Brand's fried bread sandwich and Russell T. Davies' 'butterpepperrice' to Scarlett Moffat's crushed-Wotsits-topped beans on toast and many, many more . . .
So grab a plate and pull up a unfussy, honest and filled to the brim with heartwarming stories and comfort food tales, Comfort Eating is the perfect treat for food lovers everywhere.
- GenresNonfictionFood
256 pages, Paperback
Published October 10, 2024
2 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Grace Dent
28 books148 followersBritish columnist, broadcaster and author.
Between 2003-2010, Dent published eleven young adult novels, and was also a presenter on BBC2's The Culture Show, and a magazine and newspaper journalist, including a TV column for the Guardian.
From 2011 to 2017 she wrote a restaurant column for the Evening Standard, and became the Guardian's restaurant critic in 2018. She is a regular judge on the BBC's MasterChef UK and makes frequent appearances in Channel 4's television series Very British Problems.
Grace said in her role as an author for teens: ‘....kids who claim to have never read anything longer than a text message are ploughing through my books nagging me for the next one. This makes me insanely proud.’
She lives in East London with her husband, who works in the music industry. When she's not writing comedy Grace is to be found 'faffing about on the Internet' or 'faffing about in the garden or kitchen' or 'just 'faffing about generally. "I'm an excellent 'faffer."
Between 2003-2010, Dent published eleven young adult novels, and was also a presenter on BBC2's The Culture Show, and a magazine and newspaper journalist, including a TV column for the Guardian.
From 2011 to 2017 she wrote a restaurant column for the Evening Standard, and became the Guardian's restaurant critic in 2018. She is a regular judge on the BBC's MasterChef UK and makes frequent appearances in Channel 4's television series Very British Problems.
Grace said in her role as an author for teens: ‘....kids who claim to have never read anything longer than a text message are ploughing through my books nagging me for the next one. This makes me insanely proud.’
She lives in East London with her husband, who works in the music industry. When she's not writing comedy Grace is to be found 'faffing about on the Internet' or 'faffing about in the garden or kitchen' or 'just 'faffing about generally. "I'm an excellent 'faffer."
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 9, 2025
“Your thirties are stressful. Have you thought about eating some pasta?”
Here’s to eating pasta (and butter and potatoes and cheese and bread) without guilt. I know there seems to be an awful lot of, well, awful in the world these days, but I’m kind of loving that we are also in an era of unapologetically enjoying certain things. This is a book about unapologetically enjoying food that is not “good for you”, but which is certainly good for your soul. The author, Grace Dent, is a restaurant critic well-versed in the world of fine dining, yet even she will eat oven-baked frozen fries drenched in store-bought gravy when she gets home after a long, exhausting day – it’s a welcome reminder that we are all human, and when we need comfort, we don’t crave a couscous salad.
It is also surprisingly personal, and touches on some slightly heavier topics, but with a deflective humour that keeps it light. Same goes for the feminist undercurrent, which felt serendipitous having just read Sarah Moss’ memoir My Good Bright Wolf, but which also felt a tad too light. I would have loved to dive a bit deeper into the history of diet culture.
The one big drawback is that it is so very British. Many of the dishes, foodstuffs and brands mentioned (and there are a lot!) are likely not recognisable to anyone outside the UK. You will get the gist anyway, but it made me long for a similar book customised to the brands and dishes I grew up with.
It is actually based on – or born from – Grace Dent's podcast of the same name, and I will definitely check it out; it sounds perfect if you need a little comforting chatter in your ears.
Here’s to eating pasta (and butter and potatoes and cheese and bread) without guilt. I know there seems to be an awful lot of, well, awful in the world these days, but I’m kind of loving that we are also in an era of unapologetically enjoying certain things. This is a book about unapologetically enjoying food that is not “good for you”, but which is certainly good for your soul. The author, Grace Dent, is a restaurant critic well-versed in the world of fine dining, yet even she will eat oven-baked frozen fries drenched in store-bought gravy when she gets home after a long, exhausting day – it’s a welcome reminder that we are all human, and when we need comfort, we don’t crave a couscous salad.
It is also surprisingly personal, and touches on some slightly heavier topics, but with a deflective humour that keeps it light. Same goes for the feminist undercurrent, which felt serendipitous having just read Sarah Moss’ memoir My Good Bright Wolf, but which also felt a tad too light. I would have loved to dive a bit deeper into the history of diet culture.
The one big drawback is that it is so very British. Many of the dishes, foodstuffs and brands mentioned (and there are a lot!) are likely not recognisable to anyone outside the UK. You will get the gist anyway, but it made me long for a similar book customised to the brands and dishes I grew up with.
It is actually based on – or born from – Grace Dent's podcast of the same name, and I will definitely check it out; it sounds perfect if you need a little comforting chatter in your ears.
January 3, 2026
4⭐️
pros ✅
- once again, grace dent writes how my brain works. i just get her sense of humour and the way she phrases things: “thickly buttered malt loaf, which seems to be universally understood as shorthand for a motherly arm around one's shoulder.”
- metaphors are effortless, familiar, evocative and often used for brilliant comedic effect
- mentions of butterscotch angel delight, malt loaf, beans, butter, cheese slices, scotch pancakes. this book is for the smackers, the picky bits and sweet treat enjoyers.
- very varied and engaging: illustrations, recipes, anecdotes and snippets from her podcast interviews
- fern brady’s explanation of loving repetitive, plain, safe foods (e.g. plain, cheap white bread) made me feel seen
- this book is basically the opposite of ‘ultra processed people” by chris van tulleken. truly the joy of simple, wholesome foods
cons ❌
- wanted more!
- shouldn’t have read this in the staff room when people were talking or just before bed when i was falling asleep because this definitely meant bits washed over me
pros ✅
- once again, grace dent writes how my brain works. i just get her sense of humour and the way she phrases things: “thickly buttered malt loaf, which seems to be universally understood as shorthand for a motherly arm around one's shoulder.”
- metaphors are effortless, familiar, evocative and often used for brilliant comedic effect
- mentions of butterscotch angel delight, malt loaf, beans, butter, cheese slices, scotch pancakes. this book is for the smackers, the picky bits and sweet treat enjoyers.
- very varied and engaging: illustrations, recipes, anecdotes and snippets from her podcast interviews
- fern brady’s explanation of loving repetitive, plain, safe foods (e.g. plain, cheap white bread) made me feel seen
- this book is basically the opposite of ‘ultra processed people” by chris van tulleken. truly the joy of simple, wholesome foods
cons ❌
- wanted more!
- shouldn’t have read this in the staff room when people were talking or just before bed when i was falling asleep because this definitely meant bits washed over me
March 11, 2025
4⭐️
This book was like a warm hug. It brought me to tears, but also had me smiling to myself. I feel as though it would have been even nicer to read if I had grown up in the 70s and 80s - that nostalgia would have hit hard.
This book was like a warm hug. It brought me to tears, but also had me smiling to myself. I feel as though it would have been even nicer to read if I had grown up in the 70s and 80s - that nostalgia would have hit hard.
April 9, 2025
I adore Grace Dent! She's one of those women that I'd love to go out for a drink with. She's sassy, bright, funny, down to earth and totally Northern and I just want to be her friend!
This book; Comfort Eating, is inspired by her award-winning podcast of the same name. During the podcast, she welcomes guests into her home and they bring along their all time favourite secret snack or naughty nibble. It's such a fabulous podcast, sometimes it can get really emotional, but it is always hilarious in parts.
In the book, Grace details her own secret snacks; the food that she reaches for when she's home alone, where she's not having to be 'Grace Dent Food Critic'. It's food for comfort, food that reminds her of her loved one, food that brings joy.
The book features six main ingredients. I don't think anyone could argue that these are not comfort foods, just thinking about some of them, makes my stomach grumble. There's cheese, butter, pasta, bread, potatoes and sweet treats and each one is accompanied by a celebrity endorsed naughty nibble.
This is not just a book about food though. It's also a memoir, where Grace talks candidly about her childhood and her parents. Her love for her late parents shines though in her writing. It is a book that deals with grief, but also with love and I absolutely devoured it.
A truly wonderful read, highly recommended by me.
This book; Comfort Eating, is inspired by her award-winning podcast of the same name. During the podcast, she welcomes guests into her home and they bring along their all time favourite secret snack or naughty nibble. It's such a fabulous podcast, sometimes it can get really emotional, but it is always hilarious in parts.
In the book, Grace details her own secret snacks; the food that she reaches for when she's home alone, where she's not having to be 'Grace Dent Food Critic'. It's food for comfort, food that reminds her of her loved one, food that brings joy.
The book features six main ingredients. I don't think anyone could argue that these are not comfort foods, just thinking about some of them, makes my stomach grumble. There's cheese, butter, pasta, bread, potatoes and sweet treats and each one is accompanied by a celebrity endorsed naughty nibble.
This is not just a book about food though. It's also a memoir, where Grace talks candidly about her childhood and her parents. Her love for her late parents shines though in her writing. It is a book that deals with grief, but also with love and I absolutely devoured it.
A truly wonderful read, highly recommended by me.
May 7, 2025
Having just re-listened to Rayner's My Last Supper, Dent's format didn't seem to work as well in comparison. Her book is also sectioned according to comfort foods, but had a very different feel. I felt myself a very distinct nostalgia to the foods she spoke of and they were much more relatable.
I enjoy her podcast on which this is based which is what drew me to the book, therefore it was a nice touch when she mentioned guests (and their comfort foods) whom I recognised.
It did take me a while to get into the flow, there is a lot of sadness there which is perhaps what makes Dent so endearing.
I enjoy her podcast on which this is based which is what drew me to the book, therefore it was a nice touch when she mentioned guests (and their comfort foods) whom I recognised.
It did take me a while to get into the flow, there is a lot of sadness there which is perhaps what makes Dent so endearing.
June 7, 2025
Based on Grace Dent's podcast of the same name, Comfort Eating explores the foods we reach for when we need some TLC or when we fancy something indulgent. From Siobhán McSweeney (best known as Sister Michael in Derry Girls), who enjoys chocolate, cheese & onion crisps (ideally Tayto brand), and Guinness all in one mouthful (!), to Jo Brand’s unforgettable fried bread sandwich (yes, really!), Dent serves up a tasty mix of personal favourites and childhood memories with her easy humour. The chapters are short, making this easy to dip in and out of - or devouring in one sitting - depending on your mood!
August 10, 2025
4.5/5⭐ | This books just feels like a warm hug. Grace Dent, I'm sorry I wasn't familiar with your game before. So effortlessly funny and real and relatable, with hints of heartwarming and sometimes heartbreaking moments. Reading this, while casually getting obsessed with listening to the accompanying podcast, was such a lovely experience. I just found one of my fave podcasts out there!
October 31, 2024
Buttered potato waffles with tinned spaghetti for tea - eaten on the sofa in front of the telly - and reminiscing about the days when the M&S cheese and celery sandwich was aspirational. Gloriously unapologetic and totally nostalgic.
April 26, 2025
Loved this book. I got drawn in more and more with each page. And I think we must be similar age as I could reminisce about every memory and treat. I’m now wondering if I can find a Drifter to munch on 😋
June 22, 2025
I absolutely loved her memoir Hungry and this is in the same vein … funny, poignant and beautifully written.
What memories she invokes of foods from her childhood and her love of her family shines through.
What memories she invokes of foods from her childhood and her love of her family shines through.
September 14, 2025
honeymoon book 7! magnificent! incredible writing is a given but I've never felt so hungry while reading. will be gifting this to foodie pals to share the joy. will be trying various comfort food recipes. laughed and cried, just gorgeous
November 19, 2024
Not quite the magic of her main biography, Hungry but still a warm and nostalgic read about food growing up.
Definitely appeals more to a Northern audience and an 80’s childhood.
Definitely appeals more to a Northern audience and an 80’s childhood.
November 21, 2024
I liked this better than Hungry. I really enjoyed reading it. Dropped a star as it’s quite repetitive
February 20, 2025
Very light, taught me a lot about British culture
May 1, 2025
Ultimate comfort book. Giggles aplenty with a dollop of nostalgia
August 8, 2025
Wonderfully warm and cosy book about comfort foods that get you through life. I loved it and I ate beans on toast with plenty of cheese 3x this week while reading this.
March 3, 2026
I think i expected different type of book.
Was ok but not for me
Was ok but not for me
March 20, 2025
Warning: This book will make you hungry. Not recommend reading while fasting or on an empty stomach.
Nostalgic and hilarious foodoir about Grace Dent’s relationship with food and with her late parents. And very English if I must say. Lots of mentions of M&S Food Hall items (my absolute favorite!) and an honorary mention of Pret-a-Manger’s Posh Cheddar Sandwich.
May I also add there is a whole chapter about bread, potatoes and pasta?
Nostalgic and hilarious foodoir about Grace Dent’s relationship with food and with her late parents. And very English if I must say. Lots of mentions of M&S Food Hall items (my absolute favorite!) and an honorary mention of Pret-a-Manger’s Posh Cheddar Sandwich.
May I also add there is a whole chapter about bread, potatoes and pasta?
February 5, 2025
Comfort Eating is all about the foods you turn to when you crave comfort and familiarity. Not fancy, expensive meals but the foods that remind you of childhood; the crazy combinations you threw together as a student that surprisingly work; foods that you eat that would make others give you a side eye. Based off her podcast with the same name, Grace Dent explores these foods, breaking the chapters down into things like cheese, pasta and potatoes. In each chapter, she discusses her own comfort foods, as well as highlighting some mentioned by guests on her podcasts. She also includes some recipes between chapters from some guests.
The book also discusses Grace's life through food, her introduction to these foods from her parents and how these also came into effect when her mother was dying and Grace was caring for her. It helps elevate the book outside of the whimsical, adding a personal touch.
Nostalgic and warm with zero food snobbery.
The book also discusses Grace's life through food, her introduction to these foods from her parents and how these also came into effect when her mother was dying and Grace was caring for her. It helps elevate the book outside of the whimsical, adding a personal touch.
Nostalgic and warm with zero food snobbery.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews