Who’s the author? Ed Smith is an award-winning food writer, recipe developer and cook, known for his approachable, flavour-driven recipes. After leaving a career in law to pursue food, he trained as a chef and has since built a reputation for creating reliable, inventive dishes for home cooks. 

He is the author of several acclaimed cookbooks, including Good Eggs, Crave, On the Side and The Borough Market Cookbook, and regularly contributes recipes to major food publications and platforms including Waitrose Weekend and Waitrose Food Magazine.

What’s it about? Peckish is a celebration of chicken in all its forms, offering a versatile collection of recipes designed for every day of the week. With over 80 dishes to choose from, Ed explores different cuts – from drumsticks and thighs to wings, breasts and whole birds – and shows us how to make the most of this much-loved hero ingredient. 

The recipes in this indispensable cookbook range from quick and satisfying midweek meals to more indulgent dishes suited to slower cooking and weekend gatherings. Alongside the recipes, you’ll find practical suggestions for adapting dishes based on what you have to hand, as well as techniques to help elevate your chicken cooking skills with confidence. 

Accessible and inspiring, this is a go-to collection for anyone looking to bring more variety, flavour, and ease to their everyday cooking. 

Recipes we love: Sherry Cherry Tomato Chicken Traybake, Lemon and Sage Piccata, Poached Chicken and Asparagus Chopped Salad, Buttermilk, Honey and Mustard Roast Chicken, and Chicken and Chestnut Suet Pastry Pot Pie 

Perfect for: Anyone looking for reliable, flavour-packed chicken recipes that work just as well for quick dinners as they do for relaxed weekend cooking.