Gatherings

This book is lovely if you like books with lengthy personal narratives and you like gorgeous photos. The food pictures are wonderful and clearly depict some of the food in beautifully arranged presentations. There are also wonderful photos of bluebell filled woods and streams leaping over rocks, groups of happy eaters (many of young girls all in lovely cotton dresses -- frocks I guess these would be because it is a British cookbook), beautifully arranged table settings, and lovely close ups of flowers and flowering shrubs. Visually it is a feast for the eyes. What there aren't a lot of, is recipes. And some of the recipes are incredibly simple. For instance, there is a recipe for oat flour. It consists of a comment at the top of the page, and then a title and two lines of text. That takes up one whole page, Some of the recipes seem inaccurate. A recipe for cider-pickled cucumbers has a note at the top: The booze adds a little sweetness to proceedings and means that even the biggest vinegar hater (my mother) can enjoy these.". So far as I can see the recipe contains no "booze.," leaving me to wonder if some ingredients are missing. Many of the recipes (roast chicken with some add ons) are recipes that just about anyone should be able to cook without much fuss, or they are baked goods -- lots of baked goods, or they are drinks such as elderflower gin gimlet or doughnut peach bellinis. These are sorts of drinks that II would call yuppy stuff, but then there are whisky mojitos (whiskey drinkers will tsk tsk) and Pimms, as well as a recipe for a bloody mary. Each on its own page.One further caveat: there are almost no captions to the many photos. Having more information about the scenery or the flowers would not have improved this as a cook book but it would have been nice.So, a good book if you like pretty stuff but if you want a real cook book do look elsewhere.Flora Shedden and her editors have created a beautiful book but it is, unfortunately (for a serious cook) a very light weight production in a very weighty volume. My guess is that it is pitched at millenials; it really is a coffee table (I guess that would be latte table) book for

I first ordered this book on kindle and thoroughly enjoyed reading it so I decided I needed a hard copy. The author sets a nice tone and the pictures are nice. I love the Scottish twist on some of the recipes and that the recipes are different from the usual English American cookbook. I look forward to Flora's future cookbooks!

This book was a must-have for me. While I love cookbooks, this one depicts lazy summer days with gracious living. Breezes, friends, family and delicious food presented beautifully.

Nice readable cookbook with lots of impressive photos. Taste of the UK anywhere you find yourself. Great menu selections and gift ideas.

I’m visiting the author at her bakery in Scotland.Her book is easy to read. Very personable, great photos. I recommend this book!

The book came in excellent condition. Very happy

Lovely photos, engaging writing, delicious recipes. Cannot wait to dig into a few of these plates for the weekend. Simply beautiful book.

Wonderful recipes, great photos and stories.

As a regular viewer to the GBBO I was delighted to see Flora produce a receipe book. Please to say she did not disappoint.

I love the stories around the recipes and the recipes themselves. My four year old has picked out a few as delicious and has asked for some again! Unheard of.

Great Book

Great recipes and the recipient was extremely pleased.

Great first book with original recipes.