Life Kitchen: Quick, Easy, Mouth-Watering Recipes to Revive the Joy of Eating by Ryan Riley is a unique cookbook created to help people rediscover the pleasure of food and flavour, particularly those whose sense of taste has been affected by cancer treatment. Riley founded Life Kitchen in memory of his mother, who lost much of her enjoyment of food during cancer treatment.

The book focuses on simple, vibrant recipes that maximize flavour, often using the fifth taste, umami, along with carefully selected ingredients, textures, acidity, spice, and cooking techniques. The recipes are designed to be quick and accessible while still delivering strong and interesting flavours.

The collection includes dishes such as Carbonara with Peas & Mint, Parmesan Cod with Salt & Vinegar Cucumber, Roasted Harissa Salmon with Fennel Salad, Whole Roasted Feta with Olive & Green Chilli, and Miso White Chocolate with Frozen Berries. The book was developed with input from Professor Barry Smith, an expert in taste and flavour at University College London.

Although particularly relevant to people experiencing changes in taste during cancer treatment, the recipes are intended for everyone who wants quick, flavourful and enjoyable home cooking. Life Kitchen itself is a not-for-profit cooking initiative focused on helping people affected by changes in taste and smell rediscover enjoyment in food.