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Released: 01/01/2012

ISBN: 9781780880259

Format: Paperback

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Food for Thought

A combination of life, karate, cooking and disability

by David Croft

When 21-year-old David went for a dive while working on the island of Bermuda, he had no idea that it would change his life. An accident paralysed the chef and 2nd Dan karate black belt from the shoulders down – on the same day that he was informed he would compete in the 1980 world karate championships and inaugural world games.

David, who had previously worked at the Savoy and Churchill hotels in London, is telling his life story in Food for Thought. The book documents the highs and lows of his life, often in a humorous manner, and has a recipe section at the back to which some of the best chefs in Britain have contributed. Gary Rhodes, Marco Pierre White, Gordon Ramsay and Gino D A’campo, amongst others, have added their delicious recipes that are accompanied by mouthwatering pictures.

Food for Thought will show, in the face of much adversity, how David rebuilt his life in a way he never thought possible after his accident. In a ‘Dinner Party’ section of the book, he also highlights the achievements of 10 other sporting tetraplegics, some of whom lead extremely remarkable lives despite being paralysed, with each choosing their ideal guests for a dinner party. The book will also educate the hospitality industry about catering for disabled diners leading up to the 2012 Olympics and in the future. Ticky Donovan OBE 9th Dan wrote a foreward for the book, with the celebrity chef Brian Turner CBE providing an afterword. Food for Thought will appeal to a large range of people: those in the hospitality industry, people taking part in sport, fans of cooking, life story readers and people with disabilities along with their families and loved ones. The book, which has been supported by a number of companies, and in turn is supporting the charities Hospitality Action (registered charity number 1101083) and Regain – The Trust for Sports Tetraplegics (registered charity number 1030693). Hospitality Action provides support to those in crisis who have worked within hospitality in the UK, while Regain improves the independence of men and women who have become tetraplegic as a result of a sports injury.

Press Coverage

Martial Arts Illustrated, June 2012

Cornwall Today

Master Chefs of Great Britain magazine

Master Chefs of Great Britain, www.masterchefs.co.uk

Disability Cornwall, Spring 2012

The Bookseller Buyer's Guide, Spring 2012

Caterer & Hotelkeeper, March 2012

Cornish Guardian, February 2012

Caterer & Hotelkeeper, March 2012

Caterer & Hotelkeeper, January 2012

Plymouth Argyle v Torquay match programme, January 2012

Craft Guild of Chefs

Cost Sector Catering, October 2011

Regain Newsletter

Western Morning News, December 2011

Newquay Voice, November 2011

Disability magazine, October/November 2011

Lloyds TSB, www.lloydstsblondon2012.co.uk, September 2011

Hospitality Action Newsletter

PrintWeek, www.printweek.com, August 2011

Book Reviews

I must have read this book at least 10 times, as I am David's sister! It is an amazing story of strength, courage, tenacity and inspiration and I am extremely proud of him. The writing of the book, being a tetraplegic, has taken David years and I greatly admire him for this. The inspiration for the book has come from occasions when he has eaten out with many others and myself. Very few restaurants and hotels consider disability issues and when David is presented with chicken on the bone or rack of lamb it is impossible for him to cut and eat! He always has to ask someone on the table to cut his food up. A bit demoralising as you can imagine. Because of this David has been on a mission to approach many leading chefs for recipes that are suitable for people with limited dexterity - although a few submitted odd dishes like Mussels in their shells!!! The response has been amazing and David has finally been able to complete his book. The combination of David's life story, humour and fab recipes makes this book a very valuable one for your bookshelf. Enjoy the read and scrummy food.

by Christine

This is a wicked good read across the pond! David's narrative describes his life story with a unique combination of valor and humor. The loving support of family, friends and colleagues has international appeal in an easy read that draws one into his story. I am privelidged to know David and so glad that readers everywhere may now know this incredibe man. The recipes are beautifully illustrated and offer a variety of tastes to tempt even a casual kitchen cook. Buy this book now and wow everyone you know with a special dinner party to celebrate life. Very well done David!

by Barbara

I bought this book thinking I would not receive it until the publication date! However, I was over the moon when the book arrived three days after placing my order. The book is superb and the mix of life story and cookbook would make it an ideal Christmas present for someone! Some of the people featured in the book by the author along with the author himself make you think 'There by the grace of God go I' As such I'm now going to buy another book for a friend.

by John

This book is totally unique.
David Croft's story is really interesting and truly inspiring. But also told with honesty and great humour!!
The recipes are a fantastic range of meals and courses.
Would also make an ideal gift.

by dominic

The title of this book couldn’t be more appropriate. It makes one aware of the everyday things that most of us take for granted. An insight into what can be achieved when you have courage and determination no matter what life throws at you. Written with humour it just goes to show that always looking on the bright side of life can make the darkest days seem better. A must read and a recipe book as an added bonus.

by Jennie

My partner & I have really enjoyed reading your book - the history, humour & your joy for life. Despite being paralysed this has not stopped you from achieving so much for both yourself and others with similar health problems. You are a credit to us all & I am so pleased to know you David! I hope there are many more W.H.Smith moments in the future, your laughter is contagious.

by Lorraine Tredinnick

This book certainly makes you count your blessings and think there by the grace of God go I. David's story is inspirational and his ability to keep smiling and raising money for charity is amazing. From reading the book you see a young man who has strived against giving up on life after breaking his neck to become a strong man with self-determination to help others and to also raise money for charity. His love of food is evident and the recipes contributed by world renowned chefs are mouth watering. You can choose from dinner party fayre, wholesome mains and mouth watering puddings. If you are disabled or know someone who is disabled this book will inspire you to always believe in yourself and achieve the things that others thought you would not achieve.

by Anne

I bought this book for a friend who was recently paralysed and whose wife and family love cooking. This book was therefore not only a great read but also some of the recipes by the top chefs are superb. The life story part is very inspiring and the other people's lives in the Dinner Party section despite being severely disabled are awe-inspiring. It was also good to know that the book was raising funds for two charities as well trying to make things easier for disabled people in the future. All in all this would make a great book for anyone.

by John

Been reading David Croft’s Food for Thought. Who would have thought that yet another charity compilation of celebrity chef recipes could be anything but dull? In fact David Crofts book is fascinating. The good looking, young, world-at-his-feet Karate champion and pastry chef was about to take part in the 1980 world games when he dived from a rock into too-shallow water and broke his neck, ending up paralysed from the neck down.

David is still good looking and still a cook at heart. He’s twisted the arms of a galaxy of chefs (Gordon Ramsay, Christ Galvin, Paul Ainsworth, James Martin, et al) for recipes to go with his straight forward and moving story of his life. It all in a good cause, or rather two good causes: Hospitality Action which helps people in the trade with all sorts of problems, including addiction, and Regain which improves the lives of tetraplegics. Buy one!

by Prue Leith

About the Author

David Croft

The release of this book not only gives an insight into David Croft’s, life it also highlights the achievements of other sporting tetraplegics. David was a chef and a 2nd Dan black belt at karate who became paralysed from the shoulders down over 30 years ago in a diving accident while working on the island of Bermuda. Previously, he worked at the Savoy and Churchill hotels in London along with hotels in Cornwall. His accident ironically happened on the same day he was informed he would compete in the 1980 world karate championships and inaugural world games. The book is part life story – part cookbook with over 30 recipes being contributed by some of the best chefs in Britain. The life story part highlights the many highs and lows of David’s life. While this is very sad at times, things are also told in a humorous way. The book will also show in the face of much adversity how David was able to build a life he never imagined possible following his accident. In the cookbook part, amongst all the other superb recipes, a Dinner Party section highlights the achievements of 10 other sporting tetraplegics. Some lead remarkable lives despite being paralysed. The book will also educate the hospitality industry as to the best ways of catering for disabled guests and diners leading up to the 2012 Olympics and in the future. In part it will also benefit two charities. Feedback from other disabled people; their loved ones and carers will also be sought. Ticky Donovan OBE 9th Dan wrote a Foreward for the book with the celebrity chef Brian Turner CBE writing an Afterword.