Favourite cookery book writer....

[BertrandRussell]

....you can only choose one to cook from the rest of your life. Mine’s Nigel Slater.

Stephanie Alexander, The Cook's Companion for me. I can't see that you would need anything else - it's really comprehensive.

Madhur Jagffrey. Her curries are authentic and delicious. Most English food I can cook without needing recipes, unless it's really complicated and then it doesn't appeal. But I'd never tried Indian food until I was an adult, my ex mil used to cook these amazing curries from her madhur Jagffrey 'bible'. When she died, I inherited the cookbook and got into cooking curries from scratch. Something I never thought I'd do. I still refer to her recipes today.

Simon Hopkinson
Elizabeth David
Claudia Roden

So pleased to see votes for Simon Hopkinson.

I'd also go for Lindsey Bareham - all her recipes work & she has many that are inventive every day food.

I love Simon Hopkinson too.
Also Val Warner
Rick Stein
Good old Delia.

We should have a Simon Hopkinson Appreciation thread. I am always recommending his recipes but there are so many I haven’t yet tried.

I think he is really the best cookery writer after Elizabeth David of the last 100years.

Ooh yes, I actually cooked tripe from one of his books and liked it.

The Chicken Salad from 52 Recipes is amazing as is his fish pie (from Gammon and Spinach, I think)

Which is why I'll put in another plug for Lindsey Bareham - she co-wrote both volumes of Roast Chicken & other stories with Simon.

Ottolenghi here too. I agree with the poster that I can do all the simple stuff myself. I follow cook books for for inspirational cooking. I love his first book, plenty, sweet and his latest simple.

Also love Diana Henry for more simple cooking.

Nigel Slater as long as I don't have to listen to him speak.

It's got to be the one whose books we use the most in our house - Jamie Oliver.

A third vote for Lindsey Bareham - shocking that she didn't get equal billing with Simon Hopkinson (when I bet she did loads of the work). The Prawn Cocktail Years is another of their great collaborations.

Jack Monroe

I'd choose rick stein- but the choice is tactical- he's got Far East, India, Mexico, Venice to Istanbul, food hero's, fish, British , Italian , French etc. All dedicated books, well researched and so many cuisine options that I can't think of another writer has- maybe hairy bikers?

But my heart would mourn the loss of better books, Nigel slater, valentine warner and Diana Henry would all be hard to lose.

Ottolenghi - has the best recipes but then I crave variety so might have to choose someone who doesn't stick to one type of cooking...Jamie Oliver maybe for the sheer variety!

@Niminy - I love you , just so happy to hear someone else appreciate Lindsey Barham.

BarEham - Saturday night wine fingers .

My most used books aren't necessarily the ones I love most.
A great practical recipe, and lovely food writing are not the same thing.

Meera Sodha; lovely recipes and funny into the bargain.

Diana Henry for me.
Use a couple of Jamie Oliver's recipes regularly and a few of Delia's as well.
Diana's books are so lovely.

Another lifelong Diana Henry fan here. Between them, she and Gordon Ramsay (no doubt heresy to say so!) taught me to cook. I do love Nigel Slater's Eat, but don't have any other of his books.

Nigel Slater for bedtime reading.

Len Deighton for looking at the pictures and imagining my life as a 70s spy batchelor.

The Moosewood Cookbook for finding the best carrot cake recipe.

(If forced to keep only one, Len Deighton it is.)