What’s it about? Mexican Soul reimagines Mexican cooking for home kitchens around the world, proving that you don’t need specialist ingredients to create authentic Mexican flavour. Instead, Santiago Lastra shows how to cook with what’s local, seasonal and already in your cupboard, using creativity and a handful of simple techniques to unlock the essence of Mexican food.

The opening section explores the foundations of Mexican cuisine through the key flavours that define it – sour, sweet, spicy, fat, smoky and masa – alongside traditional recipes that introduce essential techniques and ingredients. The second section then puts those principles into practice with more than 80 adaptable recipes, encouraging readers to confidently create Mexican-inspired dishes using ingredients available wherever they live. An extensive glossary also makes it easy to substitute local ingredients without compromising on flavour.

Who’s the author? Santiago Lastra was born in Mexico City and raised in Cuernavaca before building an international career in some of the world’s most celebrated kitchens, including Mugaritz in San Sebastián and Noma in Copenhagen.

In 2020, he opened KOL in London’s Marylebone, where his distinctive approach to Mexican cooking quickly earned international acclaim, including a Michelin star and recognition from both The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and La Liste. He has also been awarded Best Chef at the GQ Food and Drink Awards and Three Knives by The Best Chef Awards. In 2024, he opened Fonda, a family-style restaurant inspired by the food of Mexican markets and homes. Mexican Soul is his debut cookbook.

Perfect for: Curious home cooks who want to explore Mexican cuisine through adaptable recipes, seasonal ingredients and a fresh way of thinking about flavour.