‘Dishing The Dirt’: First-time author publishes seasonal cookbook

FIRST BOOK: Mike Wright. Picture by Neil Holmes Commercial Photography

By Simon Bristow

If you’re a foodie, a gardener, looking for that last-minute Christmas stocking filler, or just want to help a good cause, Mike Wright’s new eBook may just be the thing for you.

Dishing The Dirt: The Winter Edition is Mike’s first book and combines seasonal recipes with handy tips on growing vegetables.

Available as a digital download via Etsy, it is the first in a seasonal series of four with the remainder due to be published next year. The book costs £6.60 with £1.50 from every sale going to the Teenage Cancer Trust. The trust funds the Teenage Cancer Unit at Castle Hill Hospital, where Mike was successfully treated after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2019.

STOCKING FILLER: Mike’s book

Mike, 28, said: “I’ve had this idea for a while of writing a book that combines growing veg and seasonal recipes. 

“I started writing it during lockdown and I spoke to a member of the Teenage Cancer Trust when I was having treatment and she mentioned getting in touch with The Prince’s Trust. I’ve been having meetings with The Prince’s Trust for about year and we came up with idea of writing four seasonal eBooks rather than trying to get one published. A portion of the profits goes to the Teenage Cancer Trust.”

His literary venture has at least been less physically gruelling than his last fundraising challenge for the Teenage Cancer Trust. In August last year, Mike and 14 friends climbed Ben Nevis - Britain’s highest mountain - raising about £2,000, after saying he wanted to “give a bit back” to the medics who helped him beat cancer.

TOWERING ACHIEVEMENT: Mike Wright, highest in white T-shirt, with friends at the summit of Ben Nevis

He and his father, also called Mike, have also raised money for Hull hospitals charity WISHH.

As well as looking forward to the further editions, Mike, from Hessle, is also considering writing a further book on seasonal cocktails, which could also be expected to go down well.

• You can order the first edition of Dishing The Dirt here. For more information on Mike’s gardening projects visit his Instagram page, DIRT_94.