Barbara Sweeney

Food writer

Read it for the dissertation on cassoulet alone and you have your money’s worth. As for recipes, the onion soup (onion, bread, cream and stick) is memorable. The pages seem to smell of thyme and garlic and pork and sunshine. Love it.

Josceline Dimbleby

Food writer

I can’t leave out Elizabeth David of course and as soon as I was a more confident cook I discovered her French Country Cooking. It makes you feel you really are in France.

Beverly LeBlanc

Author

Not for a beginner cook, but still one of the best cookery books for French food.

Willie Lebus

Director Bibendum Wine

Still the most exciting book on French Food.

Shirley Spear

Chef and food enthusiast

Classic cooking of my growing-up period.

Cath Kerry

Writer, trainer, former chef and restaurateur

For the spinach recipe, if nothing else.

Amanda Hesser

CEO & co-founder, Food52

Daniel Boulud

Chef

Charles Campion

Critic and Author

Lindsey Bareham

Author and writer

Cristine MacKie

Author

Kevin Gould

Professional Food Lover