Blooms & Beyond: Jewish Food, Family and Legacy

On Sunday, 2 November 2025 we welcomed author and social historian Pam Fox, who shared the extraordinary story of Blooms, the iconic family-run restaurant that became a cornerstone of Jewish kosher dining in London. Based on rich oral history interviews, her talk explored how a humble East End café grew into an internationally renowned institution. This was a great opportunity to hear insights from her latest book Noshstalgia: The Blooms’ Story 1920–2010 and reflect on themes of migration, memory and food.

Thank you very much, Pam, for sharing your time and fascinating stories with us!

More information about Pam Fox and her books: https://pamfoxbooks.square.site/

We also have some signed copies for sale at the Heritage Centre.

Following Pam’s talk and book signing, our tour guides led a specially curated walk exploring stories of enterprise, resilience and business embedded in the landscape of Willesden Jewish Cemetery. We learned about the lives of pioneering figures from the worlds of food and commerce and explored the themes of innovation, cultural exchange and the enduring bond between food and identity.