My Archive Choices: Food & Drink :Patrick Keogh
Head of the Faber Academy Patrick Keogh enjoys the finer things in life and, as one of several Faber foodies, it's no surprise that he's picked out a couple of food and wine books as his favourites from the vault.
Simply Fish by Jenny Baker
An aged relative gave me a copy of this book years ago and it has become an indispensable part of my kitchen life ever since. Not only does it provide a wonderful A-Z rundown of many of the most familiar, exotic and downright terrifying fish, it also provides an extraordinarily useful guide to filleting and preparation as well as providing countless delicious recipe ideas - all of which celebrate the uncomplicated joys of fresh fish. For my money, Simply Fish is a lost classic and one I would love to see back in print.
Sherry by Julian Jeffs
‘All that a civilized person needs
Is a glass of dry sherry or two before dinner.’ T. S. Eliot
Sherry is a superb and delicious drink yet one that remains largely maligned by many drinkers. Julian Jeffs addresses this ill-informed notion in his straightforwardly titled book, Sherry. In parts historical, in others descriptive (and vaguely practical), this love song to an ancient and forgotten beverage forces me to consider breaking into the drinking cabinet of my weird aunt and draining huge quantities of the stuff.
The Great Oak by Elizabeth and Gerald Rose
This book caught my eye when I was walking through the archive. It is beautifully illustrated throughout and is a simple tale about nature’s great cycle of flux and re-flux - birth, death and re-generation. It is utterly charming.
More Archive Choices:
Children's and Gardening Classics