Jeanette Orrey - The Dinner Lady

Never quite got my head round this one, it all looks a bit stodgy and boring. I prefer the nigella or Jamie style, even for the children.

This is a great book. I found it in the library and can thoroughly recommend it. Simple, hearty food and delicious cakes and biscuits. All very simple with short ingredient lists.

This is food you will actually make rather than a pretty book to look at.

(Also the shortbread recipe is really fantastic - we give these biscuits to friends for birthdays and they always love them!)

Really disappointing! Only half the book contains recipes, of which most are desserts/sweets.

If you usually feed ready prepared meals to your children, then yes these recipes are probably an improvement. I would recommend Nigella's 'How to Eat' instead, which has a fab section on feeding babies and children (easy traditional and nutritious recipes).

Lots of sensible and reliable recipes. Great if you need a bit of help and "everyday" meal inspiration.

Good basic recipes, traditional family food, simply explained.

I can give this to almost anyone, and they can fix a decent meal from it.

I find the portions HUGE.