Here’s something for foodies of all ages:

Farm Shop Guide

The Farm Shop Guide, a new foodie travel guide, from Printslinger (edited by Alastair Sawday), promotes Britain’s homegrown food networks.

It features 165 independent (and often smaller and family-run) farm shops across England, Scotland, and Wales – along with their first-rate cafés and restaurants. The guide has everything from shops that drip with awards to muddier, down-to-earth places where the person at the till has just come in from the fields.

The guide also promotes 15 food and farming charities to raise awareness of their vital work, and 1% of its sales will go to the Sustainable Food Trust.  With Pick-your-own, food festivals, farmers’ markets, dog friendly and even info on EV charging, this is such a good foodie gift.  £18 from Amazon, or directly from Printslinger but here’s a discount code for you, valid on individual books,  till the end of March  foodie10%

Spud Man

With an army of social media followers and a pink Mohican, Spud Man, aka Ben Newman, turned the baked potato into an artform – and his book teaches those of us who can’t make the potato pilgrimage to his van.

Spud Man’s Spudtacular Baked Potato Cookbook has 40 recipes for a-peeling, delicious, baked potato combos and various spin-off dishes. It’s about embracing the humble spud and unleashing its full flavour potential.

Published by Harper North at £12.99 as an A5 hardback.

 

Whisky Wisdom

Here’s one for the whisky aficionado: Whisky-making has entered an exciting new era. From distilleries in beautiful parts of the country to urban areas with a hip cocktail vibe.

This new book English Whisky, the Journey from Grain to Glass,  tells the exciting story of English whisky as it becomes established as a serious player on the world stage. Covering topics such as: how the industry was kickstarted 20 years ago by the English Whisky Company; how rye is competing with barley as a grain of preference; the importance of sustainability;  the use of peat and oak, and the increase in high-end tourism. 

Published by Pavilion at £20 for a hardback.

 

Wild Garlic

I know it’s too late for this year, but looking ahead to next autumn…The Little Book of Wild Garlic – is a comprehensive guide on how to bring wild garlic from the heart of the woodland to your kitchen.

Growing vigorously throughout the woodlands, every part of this amazing plant is edible, and  opens the doors to so many diverse culinary uses. Filled with original recipes ranging from dips to soups, rice, pasta and pastry dishes along with meat, fish and many vegetarian options – this book by Janice Murfitt helps embrace the vibrant flavour of an ingredient that elevates meals to new heights.

£8.99 A5 paperback published by Austin Macauley and available from major bookshops.

Cocktails at Larry’s

Larry’s Bar, the award-winning speakeasy at the heart of the National Portrait Gallery,  has recently published Cocktails at Larry’s.  It features iconic works from the National Portrait Gallery’s Collection and the cocktails inspired by the collection, and the menu at Larry’s, by The Daisy Green Collection of restaurants and bars.

From the regal gin cocktail ‘The Cecil Beaton’ to the award-winning dirty martini McBean cocktail. These fabulous cocktails evoke bygone eras and the creative spirit of London’s West End, which is known for its hub of creativity and pioneering jazz scene. This beautiful hardback has an introduction to Larry’s Bar and the story of its namesake, Sir Laurence Olivier. It then showcases each of Larry’s bespoke cocktails, telling the stories behind their inspiration, ingredients and design.

Every story is illustrated with images of each drink and portraits of iconic figures – ranging from Audrey Hepburn to Francis Bacon – from the Gallery’s Collection.  All proceeds received from Cocktails at Larry’s will be provided to the National Portrait Gallery by The Daisy Green Collection.

A5 hardback £15 from major bookshops and Amazon

Magical Mince Pies

And finally one for the kiddiwinks: Magical Mince Pies. Embark on a festive baking adventure with Magical Mince Pies, a charming storybook and baking guide from London’s Bread Ahead bakery.

This festive book blends captivating storytelling with hands-on baking, inviting young bakers to join Francis, his Dad, and the social media sensation Leopoldas Maximus the Cat on a quest to make the perfect mince pie for Santa on Christmas Eve.

Beautifully illustrated, Magical Mince Pies is filled with rhythmic storytelling that children aged 3 and up will enjoy. Sprinkled throughout the book, Leopoldas the Cat shares fun facts and fascinating tidbits about the history of mince pies, dating back to the time of King Henry V, as well as Bread Ahead’s legendary mince pie and mincemeat recipes. The book includes practical baking tips and will inspire young minds to be creative in the kitchen.

Written by Bread Ahead founder Matthew Jones and acclaimed author Jools Abrams, it features illustrations by Magdalena Rys-Styszko,  £8.99 from breadahead.com