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eJoy of Cooking

We know that history shapes our homes. Wherever we live, and even if we're not conscious of it, the past is always a presence. Whose History? is a project dedicated to exploring these ideas, concentrating on the area of the South Campus of the University of Liverpool. But we did not want this project only to look back. We wanted to think about the city, and the university, in the present.

eJoy of Cooking was devised in part to do that. Where the other films in Whose History? consider historical figures, or Liverpool’s recent past, in this film our focus is on the contemporary experience of students at the university today. Through their words we take different journeys, which are brought to life through Sam Butterworth’s brilliant animation, and Eric Lybeck's vivid images of Liverpool and its food cultures. eJoy Asian Foods on Myrtle Parade, just a stone's throw from the campus, was an inspiring starting point.

A striking view of one of the XJTLU campus buildings

Imagining 'Home' in the Global City, and the Global University

Explore more about the idea of home as exhibited in the Museum of Liverpool.

Animator Sam Butterworth’s character sketch for Richard and Sherry

Journeys through food

Our early conversations about this film were informed by current events at the time, the Covid-19 pandemic and reports of racist abuse experienced by members of the Chinese community.

Storyboard from Sam Butterworth’s animation of ‘eJoy of Cooking’, Richard describes the cut of beef which is known in the south of China as ‘the hung dragon’

The social life of food

The film explores the social side to cooking and how food is used celebrate.

Another image from Sam Butterworth’s animation for ‘eJoy of Cooking’

'To see the different world'

Each interview demonstrates the students' sense of of the city through their favourite eating places.