ONE Trowbridge author is hoping her new Lebanese-inspired cookbook is a recipe for success as it launches this week.

Wafaa Powell, who moved to England in 2000, said the process of writing Dancing Flavours has taken a couple of years but the inspiration for the book has always been on her mind.

As a first-time author, the 55-year-old has been able to take inspiration for her recipes from a number of sources including some closer to home.

“My inspiration for cookery comes from my mum who found in food the best way to show her love and, as a result, I am very passionate about people, food and dance,” she said.

“My mum’s recipes are traditional, simple and tasty and those she in turn learnt from her mum and her neighbours. These are the recipes I grew up eating and learning how to prepare.

“I think the fact I am Lebanese is my biggest selling point and now I find it as a way of showing my culture. Culture is very important to me and food is a good thing to portray a country and their culture. I wanted to show a positive side to this culture through food because it is a part of our family.”

Dancing Flavours is an all-vegetarian book which contains a whole host of recipes, including some popular favourites to show the traditional method of making Lebanese cuisines.

Originally from the north of Lebanon in Mina-Tripoli, the mum-of-two has been well-known in the town as a dance teacher and like many things in her life, the book came about unplanned but is hoped to be met with much success.

“Nothing has been planned in my life,” Mrs Powell said. “I wanted to do something when I came here so I started to put on dance classes so I could pay for a counselling course which I’m now qualified for.

“The dancing took over and I had six dance classes up and running in less than a year.

“They have been so much fun and it was helping people get their confidence back.

For more information about the book, including purchasing it, email Wafaa on wafaa@dancingflavours.co.uk

“With the book in particular, I would like people to try the recipes because I think Lebanese food is the most versatile way of cooking and is considered to be one of the healthiest foods in the world.”

For more information about the book, including purchasing it, email Wafaa on wafaa@dancingflavours.co.uk