I collect cookery books as I find that they are alive and colourful with knowledge, recipes, memories and stories. To aspire and become one of the most highly regarded Italian Food writers in the world would be my Italian dream. Anna Del Conte is widely recognised as a fabulous cook, teacher and of course food writer. Anna has received many awards, one being The Guild of Food Writers Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.

Gastronomy of Italy – defines the country’s many delicious and varied regions, ingredients, dishes and techniques. Alphabetised and incredibly easy to use and work though. There are over 200 recipes and more than that they include Anna’s favourite family recipes. Recipes that Anna recalls and they no doubt bring back memories of meals from her family table and beyond.

Recipes in the book include osso buco, peperonata and a huge variation on meat, fish, polenta, pasta, risotto dishes and desserts. I seem to become lost in the pages, they draw me into the regional cooking, I can almost taste the recipes as I’m reading. A very beautiful Italian cookery bible. My bookcase would not be complete without ‘Gastronomy of Italy’ on my Italian shelf.

Grazie Anna.

Carmela x