Regula Ysewijn

This book can not fail from this list for the same reasons Florence White's can't be missing. Grigson and David changed the way we write about food.

She didn't only publish this book, she also published others and founded the English Folk Cookery Association. This book combines the then rather forgotten foods of England and was my first book containing historical recipes. It is therefore also special for personal reasons.

An absolute must read if you want to know about medieval foodways. Brears illustrates his words which makes it far easier to grasp as a non-academic. A masterpiece.

How can you not love it, beautifully written, a lot of history. David and Grigson changed the way we write about food.

A brilliant 18th century work, with cunning recipes like bacon and eggs in jelly (flummery), a birds nest in jelly, playing cards in jelly... Something many chefs today think they invented as something new and exciting. Her instructions are delightful and her history interesting. She can not fail from this list!

Where do I start? Her fantastic writing as if you are reading a novel? Her clear views agains adulterated food and the use of chemicals? The fact that although she clearly loved France, she also respected and loved British food and culture? She should have been remembered, not Mrs Beeton.

During a time when people were leaning towards French cooking this book with English as well as French and arabian inspired dishes was showing an imagination and colourful world. It is a delight to see so many dishes so early on in this book.

Written during Victorian times, and mentioning lots about the life of plain folk living in London. You almost walk the streets with him, you sit with him in the dark cottage where he shows an old lady how to braise an ox cheek. the book is full of stories as well as recipes. And shows a cooking which is aimed at the lower class rather than the upper class which had dominated cookery books for the centuries before.

Oh what a delightful book full of English bread history and heritage. This must be my fav David book. A book with recipes and a good read, just how I like my books.

A glorious book on ice puddings by one of the two ladies fit to carry their contemporary Mrs Beeton's crown. Mrs Marshall can not be missed from this list, I would add her MRs A.B Marshall's Cookery Book too if I had the space.