Cook book with a cricket theme launched to support Vale of Belvoir charity
A cook book inspired by some of the nation’s greatest cricketers had been launched to raise money for a charity based in the Vale of Belvoir.
Proceeds from the book will go to Belvoir Education & Sports Trust (BEST) after being compiled by its CEO, former professional cricket player, Darren Bicknell.
Darren, known in the game as Denzil, has fused his love of the sport, storytelling and good food to serve up Denzil’s Dining – Tales from the Crease and the Kitchen.
The book brings the tradition of the cricket after‑dinner speech to your table, with recipes inspired by every first‑class county and some of the greats of the game, from Jonathan Agnew and Alec Stewart to Graeme Swann and Courtney Walsh.
Buy this book and you can enjoy everything from Mike Atherton’s Lancashire Hotpot to Devon Malcolm’s Coconut Rum Cake.
Each dish is paired with anecdotes, personalities and memories from Darren’s years as an opening batsman for Surrey and Nottinghamshire, making the book both a celebration of food and a tribute to English cricket.
All proceeds will go towards the work of BEST, which reached nearly 5,400 children across its projects this year, working in schools, in the community, and bringing youngsters out to the Belvoir Estate for a unique day of sport and countryside activities.
The idea for the book came during the Covid lockdowns when Darren turned to cooking as an escape from cabin fever.
His creations, which were shared on social media under the hashtag #denzilsdining, quickly gained a healthy following.
The chapters mirror the game itself: For Starters read Openers; for Mains, Middle Order; for Desserts, Tailenders.
And a cook book inspired by cricket would not be complete without Tea (cakes and bakes), Bowls (one-bowl wonders), Catches (fish dishes) and Extras (snacks and sides).
It would be an ideal Christmas present and raise money for a charity which does so much to inspire youngsters to keep fit and learn more about the countryside.
Signed copies are available at the Melton Sports store on King Street, Melton, or you can order now in time for Christmas – go to www.support-best.org/denzils-dining to buy a copy.