Mary Berry Cook and Share

Who is the author: Food writer, TV regular, and queen of baking, Mary Berry has been teaching the nation to cook for decades and is one of the UK’s most prolific cookbook authors.

What’s it about: Cook and Share is a collection of 120 recipes perfect for gathering with loved ones, from family Sunday roasts to laid-back brunches to afternoon catch-ups over tea and homemade cake. Mary remains as determined as ever to take the stress out of entertaining and gives home cooks a helping hand with refreshingly laid-back and fuss-free dishes. It’s not all about big gatherings either, with plenty of midweek meal ideas (or kitchen suppers as Mary calls them). “Whether you are cooking for two people or for a gathering of friends and family, sharing is above all what life is about. And there’s no better way to share than with homemade fresh food”, writes Mary in the introduction, and we couldn’t agree more.

Keen to find out more? Here are five things we think you’ll love about Cook and Share.

1. One of the most inspired aspects of Cook and Share is the handy key at the beginning of the book, which will help you to track down the perfect recipe for any occasion in seconds. Planning a quiet Friday night in? Take a look at the takeaway-style collection. Heading on a picnic? Mary has you covered. Cooking for teenagers? There’s a list for that too. Head to the back of the book and you’ll also find recipe groupings by style, from one-pot recipes to soups, roasts to salads.
2. Whenever we get our hands on a new cookbook from Mary, we head straight to the chapters on bakes and desserts and we’re happy to report this fresh instalment of inspiration from the nation’s star baker really doesn’t disappoint. Think shortbread drizzled with white chocolate, salted caramel brownies, Sunday lunch plum crumble cake and a gorgeous raspberry meringue roulade.
3. Just like having Mary with you in the kitchen to cheer you on, each recipe features top tips, a warm recipe intro and fail-safe step-by-step instructions, as well as stunning photography to illustrate how to present each dish.
4. Mary is set to return to our screens with a brand-new BBC series to accompany Cook and Share. With every recipe from the show included in the book, you can cook along with Mary and bookmark all of your favourites.
5. Cook and Share is the first of Mary’s cookbooks to feature a chapter on brunch. Expect her take on shakshuka and avo toast, some heavenly cinnamon crepes and a towering stack of American-style pancakes, amongst many other brunchtime delights.