Penguin Life bags Martyn Odell’s debut cookbook, Eat the Food You Buy

Penguin Life has acquired Eat the Food You Buy: 15 Everyday Ingredients, Endless Delicious Meals by Martyn Odell, with publication scheduled for July 2026.

Editorial director Amy McWalters bought world rights from Kaye Freeman at Andromeda Talent and Leigh Rodda at The Artists Partnership.

In his debut cookbook Martyn Odell, aka @LagomChef on social media, “makes it possible for anyone to whip up a delicious dinner no matter how bare your fridge looks”.

The book has over 100 recipes, plus advice on what to buy, and how to store and flavour each ingredient to get the most out of them. There are 10 chapters on the most wasted veg, five chapters on meat and fish, plus a section on cupboard essentials.

“Eat the Food You Buy will make your food shop go further, reduce your dependence on processed foods, help you cut down food waste, and make simple ingredients taste better than ever before,” the publisher says.

McWalters said: “As a chef, Martyn can open the fridge and create a slap-up dish with whatever he finds, something that so many of us struggle with, especially at the end of a long day. As well as sharing plenty of recipes, we really wanted this book to give people the skills and inspiration to also ‘ready steady cook’ with the dregs of their weekly food shop, and I’m so excited that this book delivers that in spades.”

Odell commented: “We all hate throwing food away – the solution? Simple, knowing how to eat the food you buy. Cooking is awesome and so much fun, there are endless tasty possibilities with everyday ingredients, you just need a bit of know-how, and that is what I hope I have shared in this book. There are all sorts of flexible recipes, plus an organised stream of creative ADHD foodie inspiration, all ready for you to unshackle you from bland, boring food.”