As a batchelor cook with only medium cooking skills, i wanted a good basic soup cookbook. This one fit the bill - there are PLENTY of recipes, including the simpler, hearty soups (no fruit in my soup, please!) that i lean towards. I've tried six so far, and all turned out just as I'd hoped or better. There is plenty of fancier fare here, as well. One feature I really like is the introductory chapter on making stock. There's also a handy chapter on "correcting soup problems." I get the impression the author really does love soups, and wasn't just cranking out another cookbook. Well done!

This is a refreshing interesting book full of inspiration for those times when you are saying "what can I make tonight" excellent choice.

This award winning book is wonderful. It is full of stories about food, with short fanfares for some of their favorite cookery writers, restauranteurs, and chefs. But best of all are the recipes; every one that I have tried has been scrumptious, and I look forward to trying more.

The book is arranged as chapters with titles such as: 'Anchovies', 'Garlic','Saffron', 'Chicken', 'Scallops','Endive', 'Chocolate', ..... Each chapter starts with a description or story about the subject followed by 3 or 4 recipes.

Simon Hopkinson writes a weekly food column in the UK newspaper, The Independant, and has worked as a chef in both the UK and France. His column is always fun to read, just like this book...... and you get the idea that Simon Hopkinson knows what it is like buying food at the local supermarket with the rest of us mortals! The recipes are accessible and 'doable' and the results are dishes that are classy and very satisfying.

If you like Alice Waters' Chez Panisse Cookery books, or Elizabeth David's Cookery Books, you'll probably like this book too. You may also want to look out for their book called 'The Prawn Cocktail Years', which is also very good.

If you love tomatoes, as I do, you will find ample stimulation from this book. Although the format is not as user friendly as I would like, the receipts can not be beat! So many new ideas and updates on old favorites. I highly recommend the book as it has brought me much enjoyment.