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Roast Chicken and Other Stories
by Simon Hopkinson with Lindsey Bareham
Hyperion
ISBN 1-4013-0862-7
Published September 2007 - Hardcover - 230 pages - $24.95

Arguably one of Britain's best chefs, columnist and founding chef at Bibendum restaurant in London, Simon Hopkinson's treasured-by-many book is now available to us in America.  This is an unusual cookbook in that it has a running commentary (often funny, interesting, and observant) at the beginning of each section.  There are no chapters as such, instead it runs from A-Z in ingredients.  For example: Anchovy (then there are four recipes listed); Asparagus (three recipes); Chicken (four recipes, including of course, as the title of the book suggests, Roast Chicken); Onions (five recipes), etc., all the way to Veal (three recipes).  I love the way Mr. Hopkinson writes with typical English humor (my favorite, as it's sophisticated and just so damn funny) and includes many personal opinions about cooking, many of which I fully agree with, especially when you don't have to have an endless amount of ingredients but to rather highlight or concentrate on the flavor of the main ingredient (my thoughts).  He has stories about people he knows (and knew), such as Franco Taruschio, Elizabeth David, and others, and about his culinary experiences.  I fancied the sound of these recipes: Petit Pot au Chocolat; Poached Cod with Lentils and Salsa Verde; Creamed Eggplant; Pimiento Salsa; Slow-Braised Belly Pork with Soy, Ginger, and Garlic; Saffron Mashed Potatoes, and Steak au Poivre.  I loved his "story" on chicken, the one on Parmesan, the one on Parsley, and the one on Salmon.
Not traditionally illustrated but there are delightful watercolor illustrations.  No nutritional guides.
Conclusion - Indeed a most entertaining and useful cookbook.  Well worth a look at.