This October, KIBOU Cheltenham brings Japanese literature to life with a unique and limited-edition menu inspired by the heartwarming Kamogawa Food Detectives novel series by Hisashi Kashiwai.

Created to coincide with the Cheltenham Literature Festival from 10 to 19 October and the UK release of the third book in the series, The Menu of Happiness, the campaign explores how food sparks memory, stirs nostalgia, and connects us. It reflects the same values that shape KIBOU’s own approach to Japanese dining.

 

Collage of a lady dining at KIBOU and reading a book.

“In the books, a father and daughter recreate lost dishes for their customers, helping them relive treasured moments through food,” says Gemma Hutchinson, General Manager at KIBOU Cheltenham. “It struck a deep chord with us. We regularly hear stories from guests who have visited Japan or dream of going. These memories are often the start of a lifelong love of Japanese food.”

To bring this idea to life, KIBOU invited guests and followers to share their own food stories for the chance to have them recreated by the restaurant’s chefs. The result is the KIBOU Food Detectives ‘Menu of Memories’, a six-dish special being served exclusively during the festival, with each dish inspired by a guest’s submission.

The limited-edition menu will feature:

  • Okonomiyaki - inspired by a solo traveller’s transformative food journey in Osaka
  • Hitsumabushi - a Nagoya speciality honouring a heartfelt family reunion
  • Vegetarian Gyoza - from a long-awaited friends' trip filled with joy and discovery
  • Katsudon - linked to an unforgettable birthday surprise and a love of Japanese culture
  • Miso-Roasted Sweetcorn - a humble dish recalling a family spa day in Kyoto
  • Tamago Sushi - a comforting favourite that captures the joy of shared family meals

Each dish will be served with a short story explaining its inspiration, inviting guests to step into someone else’s memory and experience the powerful connection between food and storytelling.

Discover KIBOU’s special menu and the memories behind each dish, available exclusively at KIBOU Cheltenham from 10 to 19 October 2025.

To find out more and to book, visit the KIBOU website.