This anthology of Elizabeth David's work, originally published in hardback in 2000, is a direct sequel to An Omelette and a Glass of Wine. It again contains a selection of her journalistic and occasional work from four decades. Much of it she had chosen herself for reprinting in this more accessible form. In addition there is a considerable amount of unpublished material found in her own files, or contributed by friends to whom she had given recipes, or to whom she had sent letters, either with notes in answer to queries or giving details of current research.

This posthumous collection of essays reminds us not only what an intelligent writer she was; one of the finest ever composers of long sentences, but also how sharp in every sense. This book is a taste of lemon after a diet of sugarplums. Bee Wilson, New Statesman