"A Year in My Kitchen" is destined to become one of the classic cookbooks and consolidate the already remarkable reputation of its author Skye Gyngell, as one of the most inspirational chefs cooking today. As food editor for "Vogue" magazine and "The Independent on Sunday", and chef of the Petersham Nurseries Cafe, a magical 'townmeets-country' oasis in southwest London, Skye's refreshingly original approach to cooking yields superb results. Her unfussy but intensely flavourful food is based on the components of her culinary 'toolbox' - ingredients and flavourings that Skye uses to 'build' her dishes from earthy base note flavours to the fresh top notes that make the dish 'sing'.Seasonally inspired and produce led, Skye maintains that her secret is 'not to mess with good ingredients - just to turn the volume up'. The recipes in the book are an absolute treasure trove of dishes especially created to make the most of ingredients at their seasonal best. Try a refreshing springtime Panade of Broad Beans with Pancetta, Mint and Ricotta; a summertime treat of Tea-Smoked Wild Salmon with Chilli Sauce; a warming Sweet Potato and Ginger soup in autumn; and a Spicy Italian Sausage with Rosemary, Chilli, Red Wine and Polenta to cheer you through the dark winter days. Simple, clean and clear flavours are the prevailing characteristics and the food sings in the mouth as well as visually on the plate. Her enthusiasm for great-tasting food is conveyed on every page, providing a constant source of inspiration.

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Recommended by

Kerstin Rodgers

Chef, author and blogger

I’m always interested in female chefs and Skye Gyngell is one of the best. While her food is beautifully presented it’s not the anally retentive control freakery with tweezers and droplets that you see in male chefs food. It’s organically plated, using odd numbers, height and deceptive casualness. Her flavours and ingredients are fresh, vibrant, creative and innovative.

Charlie Lee-Potter

Writer, broadcaster and academic

This is the book you need when you're feeling glum. Skye Gyngell cooks as though she's trying to make herself and everyone else feel better. The food is exquisite, and Skye's insistence on seasonal cooking brings a slightly mournful impermanence to every recipe. Taste it today because it will be gone tomorrow.

A Year in my Kitchen

Recommended by

Kerstin Rodgers

Charlie Lee-Potter

Eleanor Ford

Caroline Kenyon

David Prior

Alistair Cameron

Fiona Burrell

Fred Smith

Ian James

Bernadette Le Roux

Claire Ptak

Jordan Bourke

Fiona Cairns

Kristen Aiken

Josh Katz

Tonia George

Kirsten Gilmour