Simon Majumdar

Food writer, author and broadcaster

This was the first cookbook I ever owned and was bought for me by my mother before I left Rotherham to go to university in London. Its step by step instructions helped me take my first wobbly steps in to the world of cooking and dinner parties. I still occasionally make the turkey in cider recipe from it today.

Adam Reid

Head Chef, The French at The Midland Hotel, Manchester

As a teenager I acquired this after the death of a great Aunt who was very dear. To this day it provides me with great, simple recipes-especially baking, that are more foolproof than Delia's! My wedding cake was taken from here!

Michael Booth

Food writer

Not cool, not trendy, not a book many would admit even to using, but I love it. Crucially, it’s utterly dependable. A gift from my late mother before I left for university; she also gifted me a love of food.

Josceline Dimbleby

Food writer

For an un-trained cook a thorough and dependable manual is a must for checking exact methods and I think the Good Housekeeping Cookery Book is hard to beat.

Yasmin Alibhai-Brown

Journalist

My old one from 1976 fell part. It’s a bible. The recent one contains calories. Very important as you get older.

Russell Brown

Founder of Creative about Cuisine

A go to for basic recipes.

John Henry Dixon

Author