Cook smarter, braver and better with basic ingredients. Packed with personality, clever ideas and serious flavour, this is everyday cooking turned all the way up.

‘If ever there was a cookbook to fill you with joy and happiness, this is the one.’ – Michel Roux Jr

This bold debut cookbook fromMasterChef winner Brin Pirathapan is all about making store cupboard essentials extraordinary. Each recipe takes one accessible ingredient – like a humble can of tuna or a pack of pork mince – and transforms it into something tasty, all while keeping things budget-friendly.

Brin elevates the ordinary: whether you're coming home after a long day, cooking up a weekend feast, or just trying to escape a midweek food rut, these dishes will raise your spirits, sharpen your skills, and bring joy back to the kitchen. Rooted in his Tamil Sri Lankan heritage, Brin’s approach to food is all about balance, boldness and heart. He understands how to build flavour from the ground up, and he teaches you how to do the same.

Expect global mash-ups, banging quick wins, and moreish comfort food with a twist – like sticky pork rice bowls, warming curries, zingy salads and bold takes on classic desserts. Think British seasonal produce with a dose of spice, fresh herbs and fragrant aromatics. Every dish is a punchy injection of flavour, designed to make mouths water and guests say wow.

Alongside the recipes, you’ll find practical tips and pro techniques throughout: how to fillet a fish, debone a chicken thigh, or julienne like a champ.

‘A stunning book that shows the creativity and skills that led to Brin taking home the title at the 20th series of MasterChef. Brin takes us on a journey around the world, introducing his Sri Lankan and British heritage, his love for travel and cooking. You can tell his food will be bursting with flavour.’ – Paul Ainsworth

‘If ever there was a cookbook to fill you with joy and happiness this is the one. Brin manages to capture taste like no other. His character, heritage and curiosity shines through every recipe and guarantees bliss at the dinner table.’ – Michel Roux Jr

‘Brin cooks with heart. You can taste it in the way he elevates the humble and refuses to compromise on joy. His food speaks of migration, memory, mood and, above all, the sheer love of cooking.’ – Aktar Islam

Since winning MasterChef in 2024, Brin has set up Brin’s Kitchen and is working on culinary content creation, intimate private dining, public supper clubs and as a brand ambassador. His winning streak has made him hugely popular with brands for content creation and talks. As an ambassador, he’s worked with Fortnum & Mason, Gladwell’s, Kahlua, Clarence Court Eggs, Tefal cookware and Thermomix. He even popped to Glastonbury festival for a talk and joined BBC Good Food podcast to discuss his ‘Beer Snacks’ series and heritage. He’s also catered many events, including five-course tasting menus for clients such as the legendary Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardene. Brin has grown his Instagram following to over 200k with his quick and easy recipe videos.