[A] striking debut. The accessible, wide-ranging recipes will appeal to a variety of tastes . . . The result is an excellent, well-rounded collection of recipes that home cooks of all levels will turn to time and again.

Publishers Weekly, starred review

Not just a viral hot property but an experienced and talented chef. The recipes are very much geared towards the home cook.

Nigella Lawson

[A] book that feels good in your hands . . . And while the dishes look stunning, they're mostly surprisingly uncomplicated. There were lots of things I was eager to cook.

The Boston Globe

An excellent pick for beginners, the focus is just as much on simplicity and education, and done with a clear premise: The 'food you want to eat' is approachable and seasonal, and it can be made by anyone at home. Like me, you might find that Straker's crab flatbread, blood orange sorbet, and chicken, leek and bacon pie are, in fact, exactly the food you want to eat too.

Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times

Simple, yet elevated . . . Straker shares his philosophy of easy techniques and using the best ingredients to ensure delicious meals, emphasizing balancing flavors beautifully and cooking seasonally . . . classic dishes, made well.

Maria Turk, Tasting Table

Straker demonstrates how simple ingredients handled with care and ingenuity are the staple of a great meal. From approachable foccacias, bright soups, and fresh salads to more challenging options like the oxtail pie with smoked cheddar, Straker encourages a return to slow food, conscious cooking, and the idea that simple does not need to mean 'basic' or 'boring' but rather is a thoughtful approach to ingredient quality and use.

Shelf Awareness