Food should be a thing of joy. It should be a catalyst of joy; an acknowledgement and celebration of joy; the embodiment of joy that can be felt, seen, and fully experienced. Food Joy: Over 100 Vegan Recipes that Delight the Senses, Nourish the Body, and Uplift the Spirit by Tess Challis pays homage to exactly that, sharing the recipes and principles behind creating unconditional happiness, every step of the way.
As a plant-based cookbook first and foremost, you’ll find the usual range of snacks, soups, salads, entrees, breakfasts, and sweets, all made with whole foods. From this holistic approach, health and wellness are critical components of fostering joy, not tiresome obligations that come at the expense of it. Simple techniques are leveraged to yield quietly spectacular results, meeting cooks of all skill levels where they are.
I had the privilege of photographing and designing the book, watching the journey unfold as Tess worked her magic. It’s her ninth publication, but the first with contributions from her daughter, Alethea, balancing family favorites with fresh inspiration. That means miso soup with a bold citrus infusion, personal pizzas made with flourless, air fried crusts, and creamy mac and cheese boasting more protein than your average filet.
Every page radiates warmth, from the heartfelt anecdotes to the vivid, inviting imagery that captures each dish in its most irresistible moment. There’s a soulfulness to Food Joy that transcends the recipes themselves. Each one feels like a love letter to comfort, creativity, and connection. Whether you’re drawn in by the golden glow of air-fried turmeric cauliflower or the playful elegance of a layered chia pudding parfait, there’s a genuine sense that you’re being welcomed into something special, something deeply personal.
Tess encourages readers to embrace the process, to savor the chopping and stirring as much as the final bite. With Alethea’s voice sprinkled throughout, there’s a multi-generational dialogue that reminds us joy can be passed down, shared, and reinvented. Food Joy is nourishment in every sense of the word: physical, emotional, and yes, even spiritual.
The photos are outstanding!!! Bravo!
I agree. Your photography skills elevate even the best recipes.
Oh my, congratulations to ALL of you on the publication of this book and outstanding photos Hannah… :-)
I am going to be looking into this one, my daughter’s birthday is coming up shortly in June, And I know she would love it. JOY OH JOY!!…
Great looking recipes tell Tess, and Althaea, Hannah
MUCH love my friend… :-)
You are SO kind! Thank you! Let me know if you’d like a discount; I believe Tess was offering a special rate if you order directly through her, plus she’ll sign it for you. Added value! :)
How would I do that ? as I saw it on Amazon USA, Its not sold here on Amazon UK…
Oh darn, you’re right… Well, there’s always the download? So sorry about that! https://tesschallis.com/e-books/food-joy
Congratulations Hannah! This new delicious book is something to celebrate.
This is such a lovely tribute to what food truly should be, a source of joy and connection. I love how you highlight the heart behind Tess Challis’s cookbook, especially the way it embraces both wholesome nutrition and soulful comfort. That blend of family tradition and fresh creativity really resonates with me, especially as someone who finds cooking a stress-relieving joy after a long day.
You totally get it! I feel like this review itself should be printed in the book somewhere!