What will your order be sir? (Jamie's Ministry of Food: Anyone Can Learn to Cook in 24 Hours - Jamie Oliver)

Member Name: LisaW82

Product:	Jamie's Ministry of Food: Anyone Can Learn to Cook in 24 Hours - Jamie Oliver
Date:	21/04/09 (94 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to follow and well written. Lots of variety

Disadvantages: May be too basic for some

As a complete non-cooker before now, I was amazed to see that my husband got me this book for Mother's Day. I've always wanted to learn how to cook but have just never got round to it. Obviously I had heard of Jamie Oliver before and was impressed by the fact that my husband had chosen the chef that always seems to relate to normal people like myself and steers clear of the posh end of the market.

This book sees Jamie begin his "pass it on" campaign. The campaign is aimed at people learning to cook something from this book and then teaching somebody they know, thus passing it on. I have already done this to my somewhat better cook husband. He now knows how to do the Beef Wellington thanks to me. It was a really satisfying feeling to be passing on my new knowledge. I was able to do this thanks to the clear and picture based instructions that Jamie gives for all the meals in the book.

The recipes in the book are far too many to mention but a few that I have already done are Beef Wellington, Mince and Onion Pie and Roast Lamb. These seem like simple things you might say, but that is the whole point of the book, to keep it simple.

Of course, should you already be competent in the kitchen, Jamie has not left you out through adding some much more complex dishes in each category. I am a long way off doing these yet but am definitely heading in the right direction. Jamie always seems to strike the right tone of voice in his writing that never sounds patronising whilst at all times being clear enough to understand without you needing further help.

I am looking forward to trying a couple of the pasta and curry dishes that are in the book. One or two of these and I will feel ready to cook for friends. I can't believe I had not tried this sooner.

There is enough in this book to keep any newcomer, or moderately adequate cook going for at least a year as you try and add your own elements to the recipes. You can find anything here from the full roast to a simple cookie recipe (just remember to leave room between the cookies because they do stretch, as I found out yesterday).

Altogether, remembering I have nothing to benchmark this against, I would say that you will struggle to beat this for variety and ease of use for a complete cooking beginner. Enjoy!

Summary: This will get you into the kitchen for life.