Just a quick hello today, as I’ve had virtually no spare time since buying this new cookbook on Wednesday – Honey & Co: Food From the Middle East. I’m a bit slow off the mark, as food lovers in the know either asked for it for Christmas, or bought it for themselves, I’m sure. It was voted the Sunday Times Food Book of the Year 2014 and now I know why.
But now I’ve caught up, I’m hooked. Or, rather, I’m head over heels in love. Utterly infatuated. Obsessed, even. With the recipes, the pictures, the authors Itamar and Sarit, their story, the love, passion, soul and care that they cook and live life with …. Oh dear, I’ve got it bad. And it’s not just me, I promise. Look:
“I wish I’d published: Honey & Co: Food from the Middle East by Itamar Srulovich and Sarit Packer, because I love their restaurant that is like a Middle Eastern home, I love their food which is heaven on Earth, and most of all I love Itamar and Sarit. If I could, I would be married to both of them.”
Alexandra Pringle, Editor in chief, Bloomsbury
Seems like I need to get in line. I’ve been fantasising about moving to Fitzrovia so I can be a Honey & Co local. I want to be one of their regulars, calling in for morning coffee and pastries, grabbing lunch there, or popping round the corner for dinner. Or ideally all three. I want Honey & Co to be my neighbourhood restaurant, and I want them all to be my new best friends. I should admit at this point, I’ve not actually eaten there yet – I’ve tried to book a few times but it’s always been full, which I’m really happy about for them, not so much for me, obviously. Maybe I’ll take a day off and just swing by there at some random time of the day, and hope there’s some food left. I’ll pretend that I live just around the corner and was just passing….
Anyway, if you don’t already own this book, and you love good food plus a great love story, then RUN to your nearest bookshop and buy it. Or you can get it online from these independent booksellers – Waterstones, Foyles, or The Book Depository.
The Honey & Co cookbook is a colourful, beautiful, huge-hearted book that you will get so much joy from, and will keep on giving, and giving, and giving pleasure every time you open it. And that’s before you’ve even cooked anything. Now, I must dash. I need to find somewhere that sells mahleb seeds.
Comments are closed.