I cannot explain how chuffed I am to introduce this guest post from my talented pal over at Kelham Island Kitchen! Kat is my favourite foodie and she's over here recommending her top 5 foodie books...
I am a baker, pastry chef and all-round foodie. When I am not cooking or baking I am thinking about cooking or baking. I have a wide spectrum of cookbooks and books about food in my little flat which are all very well used.
So get yourself a slightly sweetened coffee and a slice of buttered toast and lose yourself in these wonderful books.
Eat Up! by Ruby Tandoh
I should probably change the title to Anything by Ruby Tandoh. Ruby first came to my attention on The Great British Bake Off. I have to admit I wasn't a fan of her on the show. Ruby started writing a column for the Guardian newspaper post-Bake Off and I couldn't get enough of her flavour combos. After writing two cookbooks Crumb and Flavour she turned her talents to writing Eat Up! Food, Appetite and Eating What You Want.
This book is a love letter about food. I absolutely devoured her writing style. The book is about the joy of food. How it is part of our culture, how it needs to be unapologetically enjoyed and what food has become. Encouraging the reader to shun fad diets and calories and enjoy food to the fullest. Ruby released this book among the height of clean eating and is a refreshing change to the constant bombardment of diet culture.
The Angry Chef by Anthony Warner
Another myth debunking book here, but I different vein to Eat Up!
Anthony aka The Angry Chef worked as a Development Chef for many well-known food brands before his blog, The Angry Chef, spiralled him into the spotlight and he became a writer. His aim is to sort the fact from the fiction when it comes to food trends and nutrition. Using his contacts from the food industry he talked to experts to help his readers to understand the science behind the media fads. Anthony's no-nonsense approach and witty writing style make this an easy and informative read, despite it being filled with facts and science.
How Baking Works by James Morton
I had to include a baking book in this line-up. How Baking Works is such a fab book for beginner and experienced bakers alike. Explaining the science behind baking with clear basic recipes it is a must-have for any recipe book collection. James gives a basic recipe at the beginning of the chapter then offers variations for the remainder of the chapter. Ranging from sponges to brownies to macarons there is plenty to be experimenting with.
The Savvy Cook by Izy Hossack
A wonderful vegetarian cookbook proving that delicious food doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. Offering everything from comforting bakes to healthy salads, Izy offers tips and tricks to pack flavour into your recipes. This book is wonderful for anyone wanting to learn how to cook or to eat more plant-based. Izy's cooking style is no-nonsense and easy to incorporate into busy lifestyles.
Toast by Nigel Slater
Toast is Nigel Slater's biography about his life growing up. His childhood is relived through the food he eats. This book follows his boyhood, through adolescence and sexual awakening. Nigel's beautiful writing really shines in this book and it is such a wonderful insight into 1960's England through a little boy's eyes. I love reading about his pre-chef life and how food played such a big role in his life. If you haven't read any of Nigel Slater's books then I recommend that you do. They are so easy to read and the recipes are wonderful.
