Together: Memorable Meals, Made Easy

Who is the author? Best-selling cookbook author, cookery show star, health campaigner, and the man rightly credited with changing the way Brits cook and eat. Jamie Oliver needs no further introduction.

What’s it about? Like a checklist of all of the ways to celebrate the end of lockdown, Together is organised according to 18 different menus for gathering with loved ones over a joyful meal. Sun-dappled dinners, picnics in the park, boozy brunches, taco nights, cosy suppers and festive feasts; for each of these different occasions Jamie has created a menu of perfectly-matched recipes designed with sharing in mind. Some follow a simple starter – main – dessert format, while others suggest a handful of dishes to be enjoyed simultaneously family-style, as well as cocktails to make alongside your spread.

The beauty of this cookbook is that it is both a brilliant resource for planning a gathering or can be called upon for inspiration for any meal, including busy weekdays when only something fast and simple will do. While each of the recipes is designed to complement the other elements of the menu perfectly, they are all equally enjoyable as a standalone dish, so you can dip in and out of the recipes as you would with any other cookbook, create your own menu ideas, or let Jamie do the hard work of planning for you. Not all of the menus are for big groups either, with plenty of suggestions for dinners for two or smaller family meals. And in true Jamie style, it’s all easy to make, unintimidating and packed with tips and clever shortcuts.

Together is the ultimate guide to reconnecting with the ones you love through the medium of good food.

Menus we love: ‘Curry Night’, which includes sharing plates of aubergine dal, turmeric paneer, fluffy naan and a dessert. ‘Last Minute Feast’, which features quick and easy antipasti, effortlessly elegant pasta and a dessert of panettone French toast. ‘Fun Family Meal’, which promises garlic bread, crispy pesto chicken and an Eton Mess-inspired pudding. And ‘Summery Feast’, a fresh menu of tomato crostini, slow-roasted lamb and yoghurt panna cotta.

Perfect for: This is a cookbook for anyone looking forward to the reunions, gatherings and celebrations to come when life is once again filled with the joy of sharing a good meal together.