The Spanish Pantry

Who’s the author? José Pizarro is an award-winning chef, restaurateur and writer, widely hailed as ‘The Godfather of Spanish Food’ and credited with popularising Spanish cuisine in the UK. A familiar face on television, he regularly appears on the BBC’s Saturday Kitchen and Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch.

Before moving to London, José worked at Mesón de Doña Filo in Madrid. His career as a restaurateur includes the popular tapas and sherry bar José and the restaurant Pizarro, as well as José Pizarro and Lolo in London, The Swan in Surrey, and two restaurants at the Royal Academy of Arts. He is also the author of several cookbooks including

What’s it about? A stylish cookbook filled with modern recipes and stunning location photography from Spain, The Spanish Pantry is your guide to creating authentic, fuss-free meals using a handful of key Spanish staples.

Each chapter, organised by ingredients, highlights a classic pantry hero such as onions, tomatoes, peppers, chorizo, Manchego, almonds, lemons, rice, chickpeas, beans, jamón and saffron. From easy weekday meals to impressive feasts for entertaining, José has a recipe to suit every occasion.

Drawing on inspiration from regional cuisines across Spain, the book features beloved classics like paella, tortilla, croquetas, hearty stews and traditional desserts – all presented in José’s signature style: bold on flavour, light on fuss.

Perfect for: Fans of Spanish cuisine and anyone looking to expand their palate with simple yet high-impact recipes.