People, Portraits, and Flavours of the Community: The People Behind the Betchworth Village Cookbook

When I heard that the Pillars of St Michael's Betchworth were creating a village cookbook to raise funds, I knew I wanted to be involved… however, my cooking skills are still somewhat questionable! One thing I can do is capture beautiful portraits, so I set out to photograph each of our chefs, cooks, and contributors in a place they love—their kitchen, garden, or a special corner of their home. This way, every recipe has a story, every dish has a face, and the cookbook feels like a celebration of the people behind the food.

I remember the original cookbook from a couple of decades ago and how much it was loved in our house—recipes that were cooked over and over, meals that brought families together, so it was truly wonderful to spend time with the people behind the recipes, hear their stories, and listen to the memories these dishes hold for them and their families. I hope that warmth, love, and joy is captured in some of the images you’ll see.

From starters to mains, desserts to jams, these are tried-and-tested family favourites. Some recipes are from long-time cooks, some from families cooking together with children, and some even carry traditions going back generations.

A huge thank you to Joosje Hamilton, who coordinated and created the cookbook herself, learning desktop publishing along the way, and to Fiona Hart, whose beautiful hand-drawn illustrations bring the pages to life.

This cookbook is from our families to yours—a celebration of food, stories, and the vibrant, connected community that makes Betchworth feel like home.

📅 Launch Event: Friday 14th November, 7pm at Betchworth Memorial Hall

As a portrait photographer in Betchworth, capturing these contributors was a joy. Photographing people in their own space, whether in their home, kitchen, or garden adds a personal touch and shows the real character behind the recipes. Each portrait is designed to highlight personality, warmth, and connection, giving the cookbook a human face.

If you’re looking for a family or community photographer in Surrey, my approach is gentle, relaxed, and tailored to capture natural expressions and authentic moments. Every session is about telling your story in a way that feels calm, fun, and completely you.

For more information, head to rachelthornhill.co.uk/families

With love, Rachel xx