Cool books

[lastqueenofscotland]

As part of Christmas (sorry for the c word) I was going to get a few cookbooks for some of my foodie/Chef-y loved ones
Any suggestions for
Person 1: a VERY accomplished cook, strict vegan.
Person 2: again a very good cook, likes healthy/very light meals
Person 3: absolute carnivore, decent cook but not super experienced. Also has a very sweet tooth

Ottolenghi’s Flavour book is full of quite ambitious dishes. Two-thirds of the recipes are vegan or easily veganised.

The Little Book of Lunch is beautifully presented and would make a nice gift.

For a meat lover, Fire Food by DJ BBQ.

Instead of books (which they may have already) , how about a subscription to an appropriate magazine?
Or a sub to eatyourbooks.com ?
That site allows you to search & access c.2million recipes (not all online). And you can add your own books that have been indexed - most of my collection are available & I no longer have to search 80 books to find what I'm looking for.

I like cookbooks with stories revolving around the recipes attached.

Full and Plenty by Maura Laverty is a complete delight (I think it was rereleased a few years ago)

Apricots on the Nile by Colette Rossant is also very good.

Elizabeth David is always beautifully written so always pleasurable.

For person 2 in particular I recommend the Flavour Thesaurus. It's about how different tastes work together, and the science and culture behind it.

It's not a recipe book as such (though it has suggestions ), but is utterly fascinating.

Person 3...Nigella...Kitchen