Bittersweet, A Story of Food & Yemen

About the book

A captivating exploration of Yemen’s rich culinary heritage. Authored by Bangladeshi photographer, Sayed Asif Mahmud, with contributions from Marta Colburn and Jessica Olney, this visually stunning book takes the readers on a soulful discovery of how food is intricately woven into the fabric of Yemeni identity, portraying everyday practices, cooking techniques, and livelihoods against the backdrop of Yemen’s unique landscapes, architecture and heart-warming gatherings.

Through evocative photographs and meticulous research, the book delves into the origins, development and transformations of Yemeni culinary traditions. It explores the cultural significance of food in Yemen’s history, touching on factors like agriculture, trade, and identity, bringing the unique cuisine of Yemen alive for specialists, food enthusiasts and those invited to appreciate the dignity and perseverance of the Yemeni people and support them through a spirit of solidarity and respect.

Bittersweet, A Story of Food and Yemen has been produced in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP). Part of the profits from sales will be donated to the “Share The Meal” association, which works to end world hunger. In addition to being supported by the World Food Programme, the book is a collaborative project between 4 publishing houses across the globe. Fall Line Press is representing the project throughout North America, Masa is covering Turkey, Medina Publishing is covering the UK, Middle East and Asia, while Editions Caurette is offering a French translated edition for the EU. Please reach out to general@falllinepress.com for more information and a copy of the press release. 

The preface was written by Tim Mackintosh-Smith, a British expert on the Arabic-speaking world, who has written numerous books on the subject including, in 2019, Arabs: A 3,000-Year History of Peoples, Tribes and Empires.

“This is a country that, in prosperous times, offers a profusion of cultures and recipes, a fertile southern crescent of feasts, connected via the ocean to distant lands rich in spices.”

- Tim Mackintosh-Smith on Yemen

About the World Food Programme (WFP)

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's leading humanitarian organization that “saves lives through food”. Part of the United Nations, it is present in over 120 countries and territories around the world.

Currently, over 17 million Yemenis are food insecure, making the country a priority for the WFP.

About the authors

Marta Colburn has over thirty-five years' experience in the Middle East, including eighteen years of expertise concerning Yemen. She has led organizations in the fields of humanitarian aid, development policy and the promotion of various aspects of Yemeni culture. She has worked as a consultant and staff member for several United Nations agencies and international NGOs, as well as for local organizations in Yemen.

Jessica Olney has eighteen years' experience as a consultant, researcher, educator and writer on issues of human rights, conflict and humanitarian affairs, mainly in South and Southeast Asia. She has conducted research for national and international organizations, governments, UN agencies and civil society organizations. Follow her news on X.

Sayed Asif Mahmud is a documentary photographer, curator and educator from Bangladesh. A graduate of the Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, Sayed Asif Mahmud is currently Communications Officer for the UN World Food Program (WFP) in Yemen. His work has been exhibited at the sixth edition of the Chobi Mela festival, the Dhaka Art Summit and Bengal Art Lounge in Bangladesh, Bedales Gallery in the UK, the Noorderlicht photography festival in the Netherlands and FICA in India. Keep up to date with his work on Instagram.

To find out more

Click below to learn about the World Food Programme (WFP).