Heart & Parcel is a women-led charity using cooking to celebrate and develop the knowledge and skills shared by people learning English as a second language, enabling them to communicate confidently and live fulfilling lives.
We helped them create their first cookbook, carefully working with their personal recipes, stories, memories, and portrait photos to create a unique representation of their knowledge and skills.
Client
Heart & Parcel
What we did
Creative direction
Illustration
Book design
Print production
Curating images
Heart & Parcel commissioned Rebecca Lupton to photograph learners cooking at home. Aiming to differ from the staged photos seen in typical cookbooks, we collaborated closely with Rebecca to select and present truthful images of the cooks, their kitchens, and their homes as they are—full of diverse cultures and personalities.
Illustrating patterns
Gathering inspiration from the rich tapestry of Asian and European ingredients and textiles found in Rebecca’s photos, we illustrated a beautiful collection of patterns to introduce recipe sections.
Choosing expressive type
Trivia Grotesk is a warm and practical sans-serif font used for headings and ingredient lists. It’s similar to the soft condensed type commonly found on food packaging.
Copernicus evokes the traditional serifs typical of British cookbooks. Its legibility, even at small sizes, eases the reading experience, giving readers more opportunities to focus on cooking.
Considering impact
Heart & Parcel wanted a publication they could confidently sell to raise charitable funds. Our 
responsible material selection elevated it from a ‘print-on-demand cookbook’ to a fully realised, professional-quality book that would entice buyers.
We chose an embossed cover stock made with recycled coffee cups and finished it with eye-catching foil-blocking. The outcome has tactile appeal and embodies sustainability.
The inner pages feature a blend of recycled material, environmentally friendly fibres, and 5% cotton fibres. Their resilience is reinforced by thread-sewn binding, ensuring the book withstands routine use.
“We wanted to include designers who understood the value and focus of our project. Open & Honest provided a thoughtful service. They approached our cookbook with care and depth. We’re beyond satisfied with the result.”
Clare Courtney
Founder
Heart & Parcel
