Gastronomique Fantastique: Part One Of The Top Essential Cookbooks For Your Shelf

Tasty, delicious and inspiring but which ones actually offer the best recipes and tips? Tried and tested, and in no particular order here are essential cookbooks that we think should adorn your bookshelf.

1) Rick Stein’s Seafood by Rick Stein

Pic via Rick Stein

Techniques, recipes and an A-Z of Fish? This book documents a terrific journey on how to get the best out of one of the most versatile foods on the planet.

2) The River Cottage Meat by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

Pic via end of the line

This fascinating cookbook will take you through all stages of preparing meat - everything the slaughter, prep and cooking of animals.

3) The French Menu Cookbook by Richard Olney

Pic via Amazon

The late Francophile and food writer Richard Olney was certainly a master of cuisine whose work had a great influence on American cooking. Ahead of its time, this book will leave your tummy longing for more.

4) Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone by Deborah Madison

Pic via Farmcurious

Just because there's no meat in it, doesn't mean that it's dull. As this great cookobook by Deborah Madison points out, vegetarian cooking can be just as (if even more) exciting than its meaty counterparts.

5) Mary Berry’s Baking Bible by Mary Berry

Pic via Amazon

Baking fans alert! If you loved The Great British Bake Off you need to buy this book. Mary Berry's recipes are straightforward and very doable - you'll be a master baker in no time.

6) Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child, Louisette Bertholle, and Simone Beck

Pic via Biography

The books that revolutionised French cooking in the US: This two volume masterpiece is definitely one to cherish on your shelf.

7) Le Guide Culinaire by Escoffier

Pic via Amazon

The amazing Georges Auguste Escoffier published the first edition of Le Guide Culinaire way back in 1903, and to this day it remains as the must-have resource for professional chefs for the understanding and preparing French cuisine.

Pic via Amazon

Versatile with over 100 new recipes from Jamie Oliver, this must-have book also houses some some basic planting tips just in case you have a touch of the green fingers.

9) Bake by Rachel Allen

Pic via Rachel Allen

Rachel Allen has been going from strength-to-strength sharing her simple and mouthwatering recipes for cakes, savoury dishes and other treats. 

10) The Songs Of Sapa: Stories And Recipes From Vietnam by Luke Nguyen

Pic via Delectable Brisbane Queensland

A personal journey through food, chef Luke Nguyen takes us on culinary tour through Vietnam, and shares the best local Vietnamese recipes, stories and more.

Don’t own any of them? Well now there’s a great excuse to pop to the shops! Keep on eye out for our Part Two of this tasty list.