Here at The Happy Foodie, we’re somewhat obssessed with cookery books, and there’s nothing we like more than a good rummage round a chef’s cookbook collection. Lovely James Morton, Bake Off finalist and now author of Brilliant Bread, gave us a tour of his, and picked out four books he just can’t do without.
![Cookbooks](https://happyfoodie.equator-test.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy_images/files/768/image_pfbf7ja91q.jpg)
Nice tidy shelves, James.
Here are James’ essential cookbooks:
Tartine Bread – a beautiful if advanced bread book with amazing recipes for unconventional breads and pastries. A major inspiration for me.
Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck Cookbook – it’s just awesome. It feels almost clichéd to praise Heston, but no-one can doubt his achievements and they are exemplified in his book. No compromise.
Pierre Hermé Macarons – to remind me that I don’t bake enough macarons and that the ones in this book are the best macarons in the world. I love them and they are one of the few fiddly pastry things that I have complete confidence in. Stunning book, too.
Gary Rhodes’ At the Table – the first cookery book I ever owned! When I was about 10 years old I wanted Gary Rhodes’ “At the Table” and saved up my pocket money for it. There was some problem with the order, but on finding out the book was for a wee me, whoever was involved sent an entire collection of signed books to make up for it.
From the book
![Brilliant Bread](https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/brilliant_bread_35n3injubo-226x300.jpg)
Brilliant Bread
![Learn to make perfect bread](https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/brilliant-bread-bread-4266419a-3f66-4557-85d7-7502536a8f07_s600x0_q80_noupscale-225x300.jpg)
Learn to make perfect bread
![No-nonsense tips and tricks](https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/brilliant-bread-plait-0c186227-5e04-42dd-9873-347c772ec7d2_s600x0_q80_noupscale-225x300.jpg)
No-nonsense tips and tricks
![Simple recipes with impressive results](https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/brilliant-bread-pretzels-9e795bff-a5f7-42d8-ad52-10b8926f7d6a_s600x0_q80_noupscale-225x300.jpg)
Simple recipes with impressive results