Jenny Linford

A deliciously fascinating, expertly written global tour of cooking, eating, and drinking, told through objects in the collection of the British Museum. Our insatiable appetite for creativity in the kitchen?or around the open fire?is reflected in the fascinating objects explored in this book. Written by food writer Jenny Linford in collaboration with the British Museum, Repast focuses on artifacts in the museum’s collection?from ancient clay cooking vessels to exquisite gold cups?spanning multiple continents and dating from prehistory to the modern day. Taking a broadly chronological approach to the subject, the book is arranged into thirteen thematic chapters, starting with explorations of hunting and gathering and ending with the history of eating out; along the way, agriculture, alcohol, and cooking?among other subjects?are also investigated. Interspersed among the many remarkable objects examined in each chapter is a series of in-depth essays on such topics as tea (the world’s most consumed drink after water), pork (one of the world's most consumed meats), and wheat (the source of 20 percent of the world's human calorie consumption), revealing the many social, cultural, and religious aspects of food. Through a feast of words and images, Repast presents the irresistible, international story of food, drink, and the culinary arts. 300 color illustrations

'Brilliant and original ... From slow feasts to fast food, Linford shows that, no matter what we are cooking, time is of the essence' - Bee Wilson, Sunday Times The Missing Ingredient is about what makes good food, and the first book to consider the intrinsic yet often forgotten role of time in creating the flavours and textures we love. Written through a series of encounters with ingredients, producers, cooks, shopkeepers and chefs, exploring everything from the brief period in which sugar caramelises, or the days required in the crucial process of fermentation, to the months of slow ripening and close attention that make a great cheddar, or the years needed for certain wines to reach their peak, Jenny Linford shows how, time and again, time itself is the invisible ingredient. From the patience and dedication of many food producers in fields and storehouses around the world to the rapid reactions required of any home cook at the hob, this book allows us to better understand our culinary lives.

All chefs love and cherish cookbooks, and increasingly, cookbooks have become treasured manuals of the trade, as well as beautiful art objects. The Chef's Library is the world's first attempt to bring together in a single volume a comprehensive collection of cookbooks that are highly rated and actually used by more than 70 renowned chefs around the world. Readers will discover the books that have galvanised acclaimed and brilliant culinary talents such as Daniel Humm, Jamie Oliver, Sean Brock, Michael Anthony, Tom Kerridge and many others. Also featured are influential restaurant cookbooks, essential books on global cuisines, and historic favourites that have stood the test of time. Part reference, part culinary exploration, this book is a must-have for any cookbook collector or passionate foodie.