Before she founded Blasta Books and Nine Bean Rows, Kristin worked on hundreds of books and tens of thousands of recipes over the past 20 years as a freelance editor, food writer and project manager,for clients such as Penguin, Gill Books, Octopus and Musgraves. She’s copyedited, proofread and developed recipes and collaborated with Ireland’s best-known, award-winning food writers and chefs and has co-authored three books: Spice Box: Easy, Everyday Indian Food (Penguin Sandycove, 2023), Making Artisan Pizza at Home (Ryland Peters & Small, 2017) and Sláinte: The Complete Guide to Irish Craft Beer and Cider (New Island, 2014). She has also served as the secretary and the chair of the Irish Food Writers’ Guild. Blasta Books is the culmination of two decades of specialist experience and expertise. When she’s not pottering in the kitchen or got her nose stuck in a book, you’ll find her walking for miles in the countryside with her dogs, probably listening to a podcast about food. @edibleireland

Emma Marijewcz is founder and director of Albero PR, a small and friendly agency specialising in illustrated non-fiction books, with a big passion for food and drink. Formerly publicity director at Hardie Grant Books and Quadrille, and with over 15 years of experience working in publishing, Emma has run bestselling book campaigns for UK household names, including James Martin, Matt Tebbutt, Melanie Brown (Scary Spice), Darcey Bussell, Ollie Smith and Dr Xand Van Tulleken. She has also launched international authors such as Alison Roman and Josh Niland in the UK, has been the designated driver on many, many book tours and has usually kept most authors out of mischief at food festivals. In between searching for Bristol’s best sausage roll and walking in the Beacons, you will find Emma talking about, reading and cooking from books at every opportunity. @emmalphabet

Jane has been designing to an international standard for over 30 years. Her career has seen her spend time in art houses in Boston, Toronto and Berlin before returning home to spend 12 years as Art Director for Image Publications. Following this Jane spent five years freelancing on projects for IMMA, Independent Newspapers, the Irish Times, Brown Thomas, Gill Books, O’Brien Press, Gloss Publications, Musgraves and Harmonia Publications. She has also worked with many start-up companies, rebranded some very established titles and mentored design teams through award-winning rebrands. Jane has won Designer of the Year at the Magazines Ireland Awards and many of the magazines she has rebranded have gone on to win Magazine of the Year, Cover of the Year and Design Team of the Year. Her love of a good curry has seen her travel most of Asia. She hasn’t been everywhere yet, but it’s on her list. @janematthews100

Ciara is a self-taught illustrator from Galway, Ireland, working out of a small studio by the sea with her trusty sidekick, Basil. Inspired by the everyday, she puts pen to paper with the hope of capturing those little moments of wonder and delight. Years spent in France ignited a love of French patisserie, equally as indulgent to illustrate as to eat, but not all things need to be quite as intricate – she’s just as happy chowing down on a slice of 99c pizza on the streets of New York. She finds the most comfort gathered around the table sharing a delicious meal with those she loves, and she looks forward to bringing to life the recipes that will invite you to do the same. @cicoillustrates

Nicky was born at lunchtime and has been food obsessed ever since. She is as excited trying new foods as she is sitting down to the joyful nostalgia of a favourite dish and the memories it evokes. She finds food such a fascinating common denominator and instant insight into the belly of a culture, so she’s never happier than following her nose through a food market in Italy, to eating a bowl of noodles under a railway arch in Tokyo, to cracking open a packet of Tayto with a pint of Guinness. She has been drawing ever since she could hold a pencil. @nickyhooper