Last refreshed at 0600GMT Friday The best five books on everything | 30 July 2010

The Cook’s Companion: the complete book of ingredients and recipes for the Australian kitchen

Stephanie Alexander
Image of The Cook's Companion: The Complete Book of Ingredients and Recipes for the Australian Kitchen

This has a very clever balance between information and inspiration. Stephanie is obviously a very experienced cook. But she wears that knowledge and experience quite lightly and doesn’t hit you over the head with it.