Archive For November 2008
Before I go into a detailed review of Vegetarian Cooking – A Commonsense Guide I should tell you that this has got to be the most user-friendly volume that has crossed this writer’s desk (OK, so it’s a kitchen worktop on legs!) in ages. It’s a chunky ring-bound book that really opens and stays open….
The Golden Book of Chocolate has got to be the gift book of the year. It has impact in both size and quality of presentation. It’s sumptuous with gilt-edged pages reminiscent of a family bible. Those nice people at Apple Press informed me that this volume came with a gold belly jacket. I was pleased……
Celebrated private chef Michael Harwood has years of experience catering to the smart party set from LA to San Moritz. “Standing up is the new sitting down” is a phrase that sums up the style of entertaining that is presented in this gorgeous book. The photography by Steve McCallum shows Michael’s food in amazing close-up….
The Connoisseur’s Guide to Oils and Vinegars could be a timely addition to your book collection. Oil and vinegar are two staple ingredients that are indispensable to practically every cuisine. The importance of oil is mythical to the extent that some religions still incorporate oil into ceremony and celebrations. Vinegar is an almost miraculous by-product…
The name Joël Robuchon might not mean too much to you … unless you are a food professional, a passionate home cook, interested in classic French cooking, a lover of fine food or a collector of the best cookbooks. Consider this as an introduction to one of the most celebrated of contemporary French chefs and…
“One of my favourite books… it is such an inspirational book, with a good recipe on almost every page.” That’s the view of Simon Hopkinson of The Independent and half an hour spent with this volume and you will feel equally impressed. This is the winner of the André Simon Award and was shortlisted for…
The very name “Ballymaloe” sounds poetic and conjures visions of green and idyllic hills. Not far from the truth according to Antony Worrall Thompson who says, “I’m often asked which is my favourite cookery school. Without question Ballymaloe Cookery School near Cork in Southern Ireland would be my choice… At Ballymaloe you have everything, an…
It’s not just a story of a table but, in fact, a whole guest house. That guest house being in the Tarn region of South West France where the author, Orlando Murrin, and his partner Peter Steggall have made their home. More accurately, Orlando and Peter have turned an old property into a guest house,…
This small restaurant (only 36 covers) is tucked away up a side street and is (if you are lucky) easily missed. I couldn’t say it’s like a corner of old Beirut, but Le Lys du Liban has a rustic charm and some of the biggest wooden ceiling beams I have ever seen – and they…