Winner: ‘Most Innovative UK Cookbook’, World Gourmand Cookbook Awards 2006

David Everitt-Matthias, one of just a few highly respected chefs in Britain to have gained two Michelin stars, has been developing his unique cuisine over the past 18 years in a small restaurant in the Cotswold town of Cheltenham. Where other chefs have been seduced by the lure and bright lights of television and media stardom, David has been cooking relentlessly, not missing a single service since the day the restaurant’s doors first opened in 1987. In the ensuing years he has established himself as the ‘chef’s chef’ whose every new dish attracts the attention of fellow professionals and foodies alike. Amazingly, all this extraordinary food comes out of a kitchen with a brigade of just three! It is this necessary paring down of process and technique that makes his recipes so approachable for the domestic cook. His passion for wild food, which he searches out in the countryside near his home, adds a very singular and appealing dimension to his food and gives his book, Essence, its very special flavour. Beautiful photography by Lisa Barber completes this very special book. Foreword by Gordon Ramsay. David’s follow-up book, Dessert, published 2009, is also available.

Reviews

‘Books of the Year’
‘A world away from the comfiness of Nigel Slater, this is for anyone who wants to put on some seriously show-off dinner parties.’
Sunday Telegraph

‘Best Christmas Cookbooks’
‘Of all the chefs’ books this season Essence is the one: great recipes, great descriptions.’
Saturday Guardian

‘Best Cookbooks for Christmas’
Observer Food Monthly Magazine

‘This is a book, unlike many, that will get well thumbed over the years.’
Caterer & Hotelkeeper

‘Sure to help you impress over the festive season.’
Food and Travel Magazine

‘This is a very special book and a good recommendation for the serious cook.’
The Bookseller

‘The Rolls-Royce of recipe books. It is breathtaking.’
Shropshire Star

‘These recipes are something else.’
Gloucester Echo

A desirable gift book; the perfect present for gardeners of all ages, at a price that will be hard to resist. The Little Book of Gardening Tips contains a plethora of facts, hints and tips about lawns, flowers, soil, pots and everything green-fingered. Learn how to tell the difference between soil that will kill your azaleas and soil that will give life to your old-fashioned roses. Instantly check when is the right time to sow your lawn seed and when is the wrong time to prune your yew hedge. The Little Book of Gardening Tips helps you make short work of a long job and shows you how the professionals go about their business.

William Fortt is a gardener of long standing, whose cottage garden in Wiltshire is famed for the beauty of its rare plants and the wonders of its many varieties of culinary and medicinal herbs. He has been an author for more than 30 years, with many books to his name.

Herbs are one of the wonders of the garden and the kitchen. This little tips book will show keen gardeners and cooks how to make the best of all things herby. From the prettiest herb garden planting scheme to how to germinate parsley successfully. Why basil should only be torn not chopped and what it is that makes tarragon the perfect partner for roast chicken (and other stories).

William Fortt is a gardener of long standing, whose cottage garden in Wiltshire, is famed for the beauty of its rare plants and the wonders of its many varieties of culinary and medicinal herbs. He has been an author for more than 30 years, with many books to his name.

A pot of golden advice for poker players of all ability, as useful for online players as for those sitting at non-virtual tables. Watch for tells, trips and turns and beware the dreaded tilt! Protect your rockets and cowboys and know when to fold ’em at Hold’em. The Little Book of Poker Tips will help keep you out of trouble by teaching the virtues of patience and discipline. And a few guileful gems could give you the chance to mop up.

Fiona Beckett teaches us how to buy and stretch our food, explaining that it’s easy to eat well without shedding loads of money. This mouthwatering collection of recipes is split into three eminently useful sections. ‘Survive’ is all about the basics of cooking for yourself, with recipes which help you to eat well without breaking the bank. ‘Share’ is a selection of fantastic recipes for two and more, and for preparing big meals for students who live together. ‘Splash Out’ is a taste of something a little more swish: for those who want to impress but don’t have a whole lot of money. Fiona shows you how to budget, buy and use your food carefully, with great ideas on how to save when you buy and stretch what food you do use and never waste what’s leftover. An invaluable book for every student.

Fiona Beckett is an award-winning food and drink journalist who has written for The Guardian, The Times and Sainsbury’s Magazine among many others, and is a contributing editor to Decanter Magazines. In 2002 she was voted Food Writer of the Year by the Guild of Food Writers. She is the author of a number of books, including the bestselling Beyond Baked Beans and Beyond Baked Beans Green, and the comfort food classic, Sausage & Mash.

The little book that anyone with a puppy should own. It offers great advice on introducing a puppy to its new surroundings including establishing house-training routines quickly and precisely. Useful developmental tips on biting, mouthing and teething and great play suggestions make this an essential purchase for anyone looking to settle in their four-legged family member quickly and happily.

Andrew Langley has written on a vast variety of different subjects. He has added cats, dogs and pets galore to his family entourage over the last twenty years and knows all about scratched wallpaper, teethmarks in the Chippendale and raking out wet litter.

Zig-a-zig-aa! 50 hot tips!