Hoppers published its debut cookbook in Autumn 2022, Hoppers: The Cookbook, featuring signature recipes from the restaurants, recipes from friends and new dishes developed specifically for the home kitchen, alongside plenty of anecdotes and travel tips collected over the years by Hoppers’ Co-Founder and Director, Karan Gokani.

 

Hoppers: The Cookbook tells a personal story of the inspiration behind Hoppers London (Soho, Marylebone, and Kings Cross) and Doha, and the people and places that shaped it, through recipes and stunning imagery, collected over several trips to Sri Lanka. “I wanted this book to be much more than a cookbook. It seeks to document some of our favourite food and achievements over the years on the one hand; while simultaneously going beyond the walls of our restaurants to celebrate the people we admire, experiences that have shaped us, and off-menu dishes that we love,” Karan Gokani.

In addition to sharing recipes, Karan provides travel tips, as well as an in-depth breakdown of the Sri Lankan larder, the key herbs, spices, and essential curry powders alongside helpful notes on substitutions and equipment to make this incredible collection of recipes as approachable and accessible as possible. The book feature’s beautiful location and recipe shots by Sri Lankan photographer Ryan Wijayaratne, taking the reader on a food journey through homes, roadside shacks, hotels, and restaurants across the country. Sri Lankan graphic artist Rosa Gunasingha created original artworks for the insides and graphic designer Luke Bird art-directed and designed the book.

Shortly after its release in October 2022, Hoppers: The Cookbook was featured in the following UK and Global lists:
• The Times: Top Ten Best Food Books of 2022
• Financial Times: Top Three Best Books of 2022: Food and Drink
• The Independent: Ten Best Cookbooks of 2022
• The Telegraph: Autumn 2022 Best Cookbooks
• Hot Dinners Best Cookbooks of 2022
• Delicious Magazine: Twenty-Five Best Cookbooks of 2022
• The Week UK: Nine Best Cookbooks of 2022

Hoppers: The Cookbook arrived in Sri Lanka on the 5th of February 2023 and author, Karan Gokani started his official Sri Lankan book tour with a book signing event at the Odel flagship store in Colombo 07. This was followed by a book signing event held at Barefoot Gallery on the 6th of February 2023, and an official launch event on the 7th of February 2023 at Jetwing Colombo 07. The launch event at Jetwing Colombo 07 saw the crème de la crème of Colombo society in attendance and Guest Speakers at the event included Hiran Cooray, Chairman, Jetwing Symphony PLC, Abbas Esufally, Group Director, Hemas Holdings PLC, and Amal de Silva Wijeratne, Managing Director, Rockland Distilleries. 

During his tour, Karan Gokani also spent a morning at the Piyawara Pre School in Monaragala. In April 2022, Hoppers London joined hands with Hemas Outreach Foundation (HOF) to provide nutrition packs to children in Piyawara Pre Schools to combat malnutrition in the formative years of early childhood development. 

The ‘Feeding the Future’ initiative launched by Hemas Outreach Foundation in collaboration with Hoppers London aims to provide monthly nutrition packs to 367 families from fifteen Piyawara Pre Schools in Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, Monaragala, Mannar, and Ampara. Between April 2022 and January 2023, Hoppers London has contributed over GBP 100,000 towards this initiative. 

Karan wrapped up his tour with a book signing event at Wild and the Sage in Unawatuna, and a sold-out, two-day pop-up at Smoke and Bitters, Hiriketiya. 

Hoppers: The Cookbook sold out in the island during Karan Gokani’s tour, but a second print will be available at Sarasavi Bookshop, Barefoot Gallery, Odel, The Design Collective Store and at Wild and the Sage shortly. The book can also be purchased online via Amazon.