Join us for a special afternoon celebrating Jewish history, Jewish food and remarkable lives at the House of Life Heritage Centre.
Talk: Noshtalgia: The Bloom's Story 1920-2010
2pm – 3pm
Author and social historian Pam Fox shares the extraordinary story of Blooms, the iconic family-run restaurant that became a cornerstone of kosher dining in London. Based on rich oral history interviews, her talk explores how a humble East End café grew into an internationally renowned institution. This is an opportunity to hear insights from her latest book Noshstalgia:The Blooms’ Story 1920–2010: , and reflect on themes of migration, memory and food.
Books will be available to buy on the day and Pam will be available to sign books.
Guided Walk: A Taste of History
3pm – 4.30pm
Join us for a specially curated walk exploring stories of enterprise, resilience and business embedded in the landscape of Willesden Jewish Cemetery.
Discover the lives of pioneering figures from the worlds of food and commerce, including:
Bluma Feld and Morris Bloom, whose names are synonymous with East End Jewish gastronomy
John Yudkin, author of Pure, White and Deadly, who challenged Britain’s relationship with sugar
The Matlow family, creators of Swizzels Love Hearts
Jack Cohen, whose legacy lives on in the Tesco name
And visionaries behind Lyons Corner Houses, who revolutionised British dining culture
Each stop reveals a compelling story of innovation, cultural exchange, and the enduring bond between food and identity.
Information on what to expect when visiting a Jewish cemetery:
https://www.willesdenjewishcemetery.org.uk/visitor-guidance
Free parking is available on site.
