It's hard for me to name my favorite cookbook - largely because I have nearly 500 of them and if truth be told I read them more than cook from them. But if one of my clients or friends wants to know what book to add to their collection, this is near the top of the lists.

Brought to you by the editors of Cook's Illustrated magazine (our friends from America's Test Kitchen), this book has taken all the trial and error and guesswork out of the recipes included - and the two inch thick book boasts 1000 recipes! The chefs behind these recipes have tried everything possible - wondering how to make the best pot roast? They tried every cut of meat imaginable, cooked in every way possible, to arrive at the very best results, then share that recipe with you. If you're a real foodie you can read about their experimentation - but if you just need the right recipe pronto, then skip the explanation and start cooking, assured that you'll have a wonderful result.

I've taken to giving this cookbook as a wedding present - it's a great book to get anyone cooking great!