Manchester Jewish Museum

Join us for an intimate evening of conversation, food and storytelling from acclaimed Chef, Writer and Restaurateur Helen Graham.

Although not a vegetarian, Helen has made it her mission to champion vegetables, proving that they can be the main event of any and every meal. It’s an ethos we share at Manchester Jewish Museum, where vegetables are at the heart of much of the food we create. We knew we had to welcome Helen to the museum for a special evening!

After her years working in some of London’s most exciting kitchens, Helen has built a reputation for her simple, yet bold, vibrant, and flavour-packed cookery. She developed the concept for the Bubala restaurants, before leaving her role as executive chef in 2023 to pursue her own projects. In April this year, she launched her debut cookbook, Centrepiece, to critical acclaim.

The evening will take our guests on a journey through our beautiful museum spaces, beginning with an introductory conversation between Helen and our museum’s curator Sam Goldstone-Brady. This will be followed by a cookery demonstration, as Helen shares some of her favourite vegetarian dishes.

Guests will then enjoy a relaxed tasting session, sampling the dishes alongside a glass of wine. The evening will finish with a book signing.

Come hungry – for food, for stories, and for a taste of living history.

ABOUT HELEN GRAHAM

Helen Graham is the former executive chef of Bubala, taking the business from a pop-up back in 2018 to two critically acclaimed restaurants by the time she left in 2023. As the creator behind many of the restaurant’s best loved dishes, Helen’s fresh approach to vegetables secured Bubala’s reputation as one of (if not the best) vegetarian restaurant in London.

During her time there, Helen made her debut TV appearance on Sunday Brunch and headlined a number of banquets & events including Wilderness, Peligoni, Quo Vadis & Lost Village.

After leaving Bubala in 2023, has taken on various projects, from pop ups, recipe development and consulting for major brands and restaurants. Helen has contributed recipes to Vogue, the Guardian, the FT, and even cover for Nigel Slater in the Observer whilst he was on holiday. She’s also collaborated with numerous brands across the food and fashion spheres including Mr & Mrs Smith & Pangaia.

Helen launched her debut cookbook Centrepiece in April 2026, with a forward by Jay Rayner. The book is all about making vegetables the star of the meal.

Overall Helen has over a decade of restaurant experience under her belt, and was also on the launch team for The Palomar & The Barbary, as well as Ottolenghi and the test kitchen.

Photographs by Yuki Sugiura

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The age guidance for this event is 15+.

If you have any allergies or would like more information please email Joe at joe@manchesterjewishmuseum.com

Doors to the museum will be open from 6:15pm, with the event commencing at 6:30pm.

The museum has no cloakroom facilities, so we please ask that you do not bring any large bags.

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