The Kitchen Cabinet: An Almanac for Food Lovers

by Annie Gray, Jay Rayner (Foreword)

From the author of The Official Downton Abbey Cookbook comes a lively tour of the British year in food, celebrating regional recipes, places, festivals, and ingredients,

Let food historian Dr. Annie Gray guide you through a year of British food as she explores its many joys month-by-month. Amuse your bouche with recipes such as Lamb Biriyani and Stargazy Pie, tidbits of information about British food history across the country, and key people who've shaped British cuisine.

Delve into seasonal ingredients, what produce to grow and when, and cooking tips alongside books, regional delicacies and historical moments that have shaped Britain as a nation. And of course, this delightful almanac wouldn't be complete without the answers to some of the BBC Radio show The Kitchen Almanac 's most asked questions from over the years.

The first official book from a hit BBC Radio series with a foreword by presenter and esteemed food writer Jay Rayner, The Kitchen An Almanac for Food Lovers is a delicious companion that will fill your year with flavor.

Includes metric measures.
 

Genres: Nonfiction, Food, Cooking, Cookbooks

320 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2022

Reviews

[Stephen Dilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Kitchen Cabinet is one of the very best programmes on Radio 4, and this book really captures everything that makes the radio show so enjoyable - the enthusiasm and expertise of the panellists, the eclectic range of topics discussed and the general sense of humour and bonhomie that permeates every episode.

This is a book which every food lover would enjoy - a compendium of culinary debates, anecdotes and practical tips. Dr Annie Gray has done a brilliant job of compiling this book, and as with the radio show, it's quite an achievement that our taste buds are so fully engaged without recourse to any photographs of the dishes under discussion. It's not really a cookbook but does include lots of recipes that you could cook from. These are generally sketched out in quite general terms, so those who like precise instructions on cooking times, temperatures etc. might need to supplement these recipes with advice from online - but I don't think that's a problem.

The topics under discussion are wide-ranging, from asparagus, offal and crab to the best way to make a crisp sandwich or a train picnic. The book benefits from the varied expertise of the panellists, including chefs such as Tim Anderson (whose suggestions are always delightfully zany), scientists such as Barry Smith, and Annie Gray herself, whose insights as a food historian are unfailingly illuminating. The book is gleefully gluttonous, refreshingly unpretentious, and often laugh-out-loud funny - I was very pleased to be reminded of Annie Gray's legendary 'candle salad', and was also tickled by M.F.K. Fisher's description of a "bum sandwich".

The book is divided into sections, each focused on a month and a place in the UK, which means that eating locally and seasonally are both foregrounded. The book also touches on questions of ethics and sustainability, but never comes across as pious or didactic. As Jay Rayner says in the Foreword, "The Kitchen Cabinet has always been a place for people who live to eat and so is this book."

This could either be dipped into or read from start to finish - I intended to do the former but ended up doing the latter! It would also make a great gift for any gourmands who would like something slightly different from another cookbook! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC to review.

[Books By Your Bedside · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Ebury for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

Oh I do love an almanac and I do love food and organising my kitchen, so this book is definitely right up my street. I didn’t know The Kitchen Cabinet was originally a BBC programme, so that’s definitely one to download and binge watch.

I like the exploration food from other countries and cultures that Annie delves into, and especially the influence they’ve had on UK cuisine. And not just the fact that we love a Chinese takeaway or a visit to a local Turkish restaurant, but where our actual food has come from.

It is tongue in cheek and numerous, but precise and informative. I like that some of it is in a Q&A format as it beings a very real personal touch to it.

As always, my favourite chapter was the December one. As we all know by now, Christmas is my favourite time of the year and Annie has just perfectly captured the warmth and cosyness of the time, and how important food and feasting is to us when we celebrate.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the blurb of "The Kitchen Cabinet" which promised me "A year of recipes, flavours, facts and stories for food lovers". As someone who loves trivia and definitely loves their food, I wanted to read this book. I've never listened to the radio programme but that wasn't a disadvantage. The Kitchen Cabinet is your month by month guide to a world of food. Each month starts with a list of events to be excited by as well as the flavours of that particular month. There is a long list of panellists who contribute to each month and who give tips of the food you might be cooking that month, the history of the dishes and even bust popular food myths - who knew you shouldn't keep your tomatoes in the fridge? There are plenty of insights into the radio show and Q&A sections so you can benefit from the panellists experience.

It's the perfect gift for any foodie and could easily be adapted into a new years resolution or foodie challenge.

Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to review an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Ace · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a long time listener of many BBC Radio 4 programmes, I thought I'd give this book a try (not realising that it was tied to a culinary panel show).
I have always enjoyed whatever Jay Rayner has to say and in a way this book was no different.
As it was based off a show centred around food, I somehow expected more food and recipies rather than a history of food and geographical influences - but I can't say I was disappointed.

I've never read such eclectic mentions of cheese (and so many varieties of such), it's genuinely interesting to learn about uk produce in particular, I think over the last few years with Brexit particularly, we need a solid reminder that the uk can and does produce quality ingredients.

My only reservation about The Kitchen Cabinet is that I think it's a little difficult to get into and fully enjoy if you've not listened to the show.

[Leith Devine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t realize this was from a BBC radio show, that made sense when I started to read the book. It’s divided by month, and each month features an English city. The month also talks about the holidays for (many of them not celebrated in the US) and foods in season. There’s city and food history, funny stories, household questions and answers, and recipes.

I’m definitely going back make the Socca Pancake and the Spicy Noodle Salad. In many cases, the recipes are without specific quantities, so don’t expect a traditional recipe format.

I had fun reading this book, I learned a lot of food history. I’ll return to it again, it’s best read in smaller doses. 4 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Jennsie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is actually a companion to a radio show. The book is divided into months, and each month focuses on a different city and seasonal foods or foods relating to that destination. It is written like a radio show with different topics. There is some good foodie related information here, but I think you have to know the show to appreciate it.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really lovely book on the radio 4 programme of the same name. It’s a love letter to food, the book is separated into 12 months and 12 visits to different to places. The different sections contain a cheese of the month, food in season and a bit about where the show is set that month.. I really enjoyed the different topics and the tips and tricks of cooking.

[Sinead · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. It was an interesting read and I learned a lot. I think bring a listener to the radio show would help to add value when reading this. Interesting though.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fabulously informative and entertaining book, perfect for all homecooks & foodies! Love the lively format that follows the idea of a monthly podcast of food knowledge, seasonal cooking, hints and tips!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love THC on Radio 4. It is wonderful to listen to people who are passionate about food and talk about it in a loving, witty manner. This book is like listening to 12 extended episodes, and beautiful captures all of the madcap energy of the radio version. Well done indeed, Dr. Gray.

[Vivienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A complete mixture of culinary expertise, the story of traditional foods, humorous experiences and experiments, and much, much more.
I love the BBC Radio 4 programme of the same title and loved this book too, read in monthly chunks.

[Stephen the Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Kitchen Cabinet has become a quintessential part of Saturday morning Radio 4:listening ; a blend of facts , recipes , opinions and trivia. The same team’s thoughts and ideas has been collated into this quirky compendium by Dr Annie Gray highlighting a range of recipes, historical facts , ideas and the downright curious. Divided into the twelve months and seasonal foods and delights the book explores customs and the regular panels approaches to creating certain dishes along with myth busters and various observations towards long held cookery beliefs..This isn’t a cookbook but a delight for the foodie enthusiast to dip into through the year or in one greedy sumptuous reading and enjoy the cornucopia of delights that is The Kitchen Cabinet. The only quibble is the layout is a bit random at times and including visits to venues featured in the programme it did feel a bit like an old fashioned annual / review

[Kate Henderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book certainly has a lot of information - however a lot of it just felt really random.
Some of the tips/stories were interesting, but some were just a bit dull.

This book just became a bit too formulaic and ploddy towards the end. I lost interest the more I went though the book, the less I enjoyed it.

It was OK - but not anything I would rave about - you really need to be super interested in niche food to enjoy this book.