Books / Reviews
Cooking show producer publishes cookbook
The Allotment Cookbook is BBC food producer Pete Lawrence’s first book but he probably wasn’t expecting that within a few months of publication, some of his suggestions could be deemed illegal. “Nothing tastes better than free food and I find that foraging for a few mushrooms is well worth the effort,” he writes in the book.
Bristol24/7 put to him that a new Bristol bylaw could make foraging for ingredients to make a wild mushroom risotto, illegal.
“No bylaw will stop me taking my kids foraging in Bristol Parks,” replied Lawrence. “In fact, I feel a crumble coming on soon … from blackberries my seven year old gathered in Eastville Park in the autumn AND it’s nearly time to make some nettle and wild garlic soup – definitely worth running the legal gauntlet for.
“Glad our council feel they have time to discuss such madness. I guess it means they don’t have to waste their time discussing Bristol’s homeless situation. The councillors need to take a long hard look at themselves, in my opinion. Remember this is Bristol – we won’t stand for such nonsense.”
By day, Bristol-based Lawrence works with some of the world’s finest chefs and cooks, as a TV producer for the BBC. He is the executive producer of Nigel Slater’s Simple Suppers and Simon Hopkinson’s The Good Cook on BBC One. He is also currently working with Nigella Lawson, Michel Roux Jnr, The Hairy Bikers and Lorraine Pascal on a programme for BBC Two.
To relax, he indulges his culinary passion, by growing fresh produce on the allotment; experimenting with his own concoctions in the kitchen; and writing about the results.
Published a week earlier and his recipe of haggis, creamed potato and bashed neeps with whisky sauce would have been ideal for Burns night. The book itself though is suitable for reading at any time.
Each recipe is accompanied by not only the instructions but also some reminiscing and thoughts. This book is a treat for readers and cooks, and his words on foraging should be a reality-check for Bristol City Council.
The Allotment Cookbook: Grow, cook and eat with the Seasons is published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson on February 4, 2016.
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
