Henley Literary Festival has just announced two brilliant summer popup events: one featuring Matt Haig, author of The Life Impossible, in conversation with Bryony Gordan, and another featuring one of Britain’s best-loved Michelin-starred chefs, Tom Kerridge, who will trundle up from Marlow to join the festival for the first time and reflect on his career in the kitchen, on screen, and on the page.

Matt Haig in conversation with Bryony Gordan

7th June, 4pm – Christ Church

Benedict Cumberbatch called it “a beautiful novel full of life-affirming wonder and imagination”, while Lemn Sissay said “okay folks, buckle up. Matt Haig, the wonder, is back”. Now as Sunday Times bestseller The Life Impossible is published in paperback Matt Haig joins us in Henley for the first time. Among the rugged hills and golden beaches of the Balearics, retired maths teacher Grace searches for answers about a long-lost friend’s life.

A decade on from his ground-breaking, acclaimed memoir Reasons to Stay Alive, Matt has continued to delight readers around the world, from his bestselling novels The Midnight Library, How to Stop Time and The Humans to his much-loved children’s books A Boy Called Christmas, To Be A Cat and Echo Boy.

Tom Kerridge

8th July, 7pm – Christ Church

20 years ago, Tom Kerridge and his wife Beth opened The Hand & Flowers, which became the first – and to date the only – pub to be awarded two Michelin stars. This was followed by The Coach and The Butcher’s Tap, both also in nearby Marlow, and more recently Kerridge’s Bar & Grill in London and The Bull and Bear in Manchester. A judge on the BBC’s Great British Menu, he has published numerous bestsellers including Proper Pub Food, Tom’s Table and Outdoor Cooking.

Now in The BBQ Book: 80 Delicious Recipes for Fire and Coals Tom shares his tips for prep-ahead sides, easy snacks and stunning crowd-pleasers. From flavour-packed marinated meats, miso prawn skewers and sticky-glazed chipolatas to peanut and pretzel parfait, smoky charred veg and green chilli slaw there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss the chance to hear a culinary champion in conversation.