Introduction

As far back as I can remember food has always been a passion. Growing up, the family dinner was the highlight of my day. My mother - a fantastic cook - would regularly read cookbooks and try out new recipes, so dinner was always a treat. I remember being especially excited when we had guests around for dinner, as she would go out of her way to create something special. The preparation started two days before, the kitchen littered with well-thumbed cookbooks, pots and pans, stewing and rattling on the stove. As the fridge began to overflow with the dishes, neatly organized into individual bowls, I would loiter in the kitchen and dip my fingers into every single one to the annoyance of my mother. Even as a child there was nothing I wouldn’t eat.