It's time for our yearly run-down of the best food and drink books of the year. As ever, we are concentrating on books created by the people behind London's great restaurants and bars. No air fryer cookbooks on this page!
Restaurant cookbooks
Café Cecilia Cookbook
Max Rocha
Max Rocha’s Cafe Cecilia in Broadway Market has been a such a big hit and this book follows the kitchen’s approach to European comfort food. There’s a big focus on the influence of the food Max grew up with in Ireland, in a book which gathers together 100 recipes, with his excellent Guinness bread (not to mention Guinness bread ice cream) sitting alongside dishes like rabbit ragu and our personal favourite, the deep-fried bread and butter pudding.
More about Cafe Cecilia restaurant
Mangal II: Stories and Recipes
Ferhat and Sertaç Dirik
Mangal II in Dalston really came to recent prominence when the Dirik brothers took over from their father. Although Sertaç Dirik has now moved on from Mangal II, this book with his brother is his swansong to the restaurant (while he looks for a new space). This is an exploration of Turkish barbecue culture, focusing on grilling meats, seafood, and vegetables over an open flame - and how to replicate this in your own kitchen. That’s all mixed in with personal stories about the family and legacy of the restaurant.
More about Mangal II restaurant
Cooking with Anna: Modern home cooking with Irish heart
Anna Haugh
Best known for both her TV appearances as well as her Chelsea restaurant Myrtle, this book is about mixing modern techniques with traditional Irish cooking. Inspired by her mum’s home cooking, the book features recipes like Mammy's shepherd's pie with forked spuds or duck breast and potato waffle with a mushroom and black garlic puree. We’re also particularly intrigued by the baked bean can soda bread.
A Woman's Place is in the Kitchen
Sally Abé
Sally Abe, Executive chef of The Pem (and previously the Michelin-starred Harwood Arms) has written this memoir to uncover just what it takes to open (and keep running) a restaurant in the present day. She talks about her experience and what it takes to rise to the top in a male-dominated industry. If you’re looking for something like Kitchen Confidential (or are a fan of The Bear), this should be one for you.
Buy A Woman's Place is in the Kitchen
Bethlehem: A Celebration of Palestinian Food
Fadi Kattan
Fadi Kattan is best known in London for his restaurant Akub, which brought fantastic Palestinian cooking to London. This book is an exploration of that cuisine, focusing on its history and cultural significance. The book concentrates on the cuisine of his hometown Bethlehem and the people behind the scenes. There are recipes from both his restaurants in London and Bethlehem, including slow roast lamb seasoned with fenugreek and cardamom alongside mistaka brioche and a kofta sandwich.
Cooking for People
Mike Davies
Mike Davies is the man behind two London institutions, The Camberwell Arms and Frank’s Cafe. Given those places, it’s not surprising that this book is about bringing people together and cooking for groups and entertaining and the joy of sharing food. Seasonal recipes here include a Jerusalem artichoke, mushroom and cavolo nero pie and a slow-roast pork shoulder with chestnut polenta.
More about The Camberwell Arms
OPSO: A Modern Greek Cookbook
Nikos Roussos, Andreas Labridis
It’s been open for 10 years in Marylebone, so the people behind Opso (as well as Kima) have created this book to help you recreate some of the restaurant's signature dishes. With a modern approach to Greek food, you’ll find recipes across areas like barbecues, Souvlakia, Brunches, Breads, Pastries and Deserts. Those range from spanakopita with lemon yoghurt dip to their coffee tiramisu profiteroles.
Doma: Traditional Flavours and Modern Recipes from the Balkan Diaspora
Spasia Pandora Dinkovski
Spasia Dinkovski is probably best known for being the chef behind (recently closed) Mystic Burek. Through that venture she had shared her passion for Balkan cuisine and that’s also the focus of this book. You’ll find recipes that showcase the region’s diverse cultural influences and find out how to recreate some of the much-loved pastries you’ll have found in her shop. And yes, there are bureks.
Sketch
Mourad Mazouz, Pierre Gagnaire
It’s been just over 20 years since Sketch originally opened in Mayfair and this book both looks back on the history (and patrons) of Sketch as well as recipes from renowned chef Pierre Gagnaire. Given the sometimes outlandish design of Sketch, this slipcased book features a lot of beautiful photography and stories of the restaurant. The 85 recipes, meanwhile, blend French, North African, and modern European influences, including a rolled chocolate biscuit and their melba brioche, with reblochon and truffle.
Max's World of Sandwiches
Max Halley and Benjamin Benton
A follow-up to his great Max’s Sandwich Book, is divided into two parts. One is about the components of a great sandwich, including bread, sauces, fillings and condiments while the other is about putting it all together in the best way possible. In here, you’ll find some classic sandwiches done in the best way possible, from prawn cocktails to porchetta sandwiches or a tuna melt toastie. There are even dessert sarnies, like the Hot Cross Bun Sandwich with Salted Caramel Ice Cream.
More about Max's Sandwich Shop
The Happy Endings Cookbook
Terri Mercieca
Best known for their amazing ice cream sandwiches, this book will show you just how to make those at home. There’s a lot more to it than sandwiches though, as recipes include sundaes, classic puddings, and tarts. So as well as finding out how to make a mint choc ice cream sandwich, it will also show you how to make a butter popcorn custard tart.
Buy The Happy Endings Cookbook
Big Mamma Italian Recipes in 30 Minutes
Big Mamma
Big Mamma, the group behind restaurants like Gloria and Circolo Popolare is back with its latest Italian cookbook. As you can imagine, it’s just as lighthearted as the restaurants themselves with the book designed to help you cope with “famiglia descending en masse” or friends arriving unexpectedly, with everything taking 30 minutes or less. Recipes include a breaded and baked burratina as well as a pannacotta served inside a lemon.
Buy Big Mamma Italian Recipes in 30 Minutes
Drinks and cocktail books
Who's Afraid of Romanée-Conti?: A Shortcut to Drinking Great Wines
Dan Keeling
Dan Keeling is one of the pair behind Noble Rot, so if you’re after a book that’s an introduction to wine (or looking to develop your knowledge), this will be a very good place to start. As the name suggests, this is all about how to go about choosing great wines without being put off by any intimidating jargon. On top of understanding wines, this also covers food pairings and more.
Buy Who's Afraid of Romanée-Conti
The Connaught Bar: Cocktail Recipes and Iconic Creations
Agostino Perrone
Now 16 years old, The Connaught Bar is thought by many to be the best bar in London and indeed the world. This is the ultimate guide to that bar. Inside, you’ll find 100 cocktail recipes, led by Master Mixologist Agostino Perrone including, of course, The Connaught Martini (with tips on how to do the signature pour). You’ll also find suggestions for glassware, bar tools and more.
Cocktails at Larry's
Tom Onions
This is the book behind Larry’s Bar, the bar in the basement of The National Portrait Gallery, run by the people behind Daisy Green. The cocktails here are all about balancing creativity with classic influence (set alongside some great photos from the gallery). It features their take on the martini, the McBean which remains a Hot Dinners favourite.
The Martini: The Ultimate Guide to a Cocktail Icon
Alice Lascelles
It really is all about the martini on the drinks book front this year, exemplified by this ultimate guide. Alice's book takes a look at the history and evolution of the cocktail and dives deep on how to make perfect versions of all the variations. There are over 60 martini recipes in there, including some from top mixologists.
Cookbook hits from previous years
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