Julie Friend

Part of my prize for winning MasterChef was an Alistair Little cookery course in Orvieto. One of the best weeks I have ever had, full of simple classic Italian cooking, lots of laughs and in a dreamy setting.

I was lucky enough to visit the school and meet Darina Allen. I have bought this book for lots of budding chefs as there is everything you need in one place.

Anna is a dear friend of mine and her recipes are the perfect failsafe dinner party offerings.

Baking is my thing. I love the photography in this book and have visited both the London and Paris sites. Plus my wonderful friends, the Demes from Chegworth Valley, make an appearance which makes me very happy.

Again, heavy on baking and lots of wonderful recipes which never fail.

An Italian bible - not much else to say really.

My food hero. My copy of this book is well thumbed and covered in various splatters of sauce. Love it.

Sue was a MasterChef winner a few years before me and I used this book for many of the cakes and biscuits I used to sell in my London delis.

I went to the River cafe on a first date, many years ago and whilst I couldn't tell you much about the date, I could tell you everything about the food. Simple, delicious, genius.

I remember visiting the first Ottolenghi in Notting Hill and standing spellbound in front of the window display. It influenced much of what I did i my delis and for my private catering.