A Fork in the Road: A Man, a Map and an Appetite

Twelve walks, four seasons, and a nostalgic pilgrimage across Britain



What if the way to a richer, more meaningful life begins with a walk, and ends with something delicious to eat?

In Walking On An Empty Stomach, award-winning food writer Mark Diacono swaps his garden for the coasts, moors, valleys and cities of Britain to find out. Setting out on twelve distinct journeys across the country, Mark retraces formative steps and foodie memories while reflecting on a life well-eaten. Armed with his trusty backpack, he returns to the scene of the perfect pre-match mushroom pie outside Anfield, climbs sunlit Pendle Hill for the memorable tastes of his childhood, and retraces well-trodden paths in Cornwall for the perfect winter pasty. Along the way, he seeks out the local characters, changing landscapes and hidden culinary treasures that define the British countryside.

Evocative, deeply personal, and distinctly British, Walking On An Empty Stomach is a universal story about the simple art of slowing down. It is an invitation to step outside, reconnect with the natural world and discover how a year of walking and eating can lead to a life more fully lived.