To pick just one Russell Norman book seems sacrilegious, however, as his earlier works are currently unavailable, this is equally brilliant and his most recent, published shortly before his death. This is the food of Florence – often described as ‘ugly but good’ – where simple ingredients and uncomplicated cooking results in magical flavour. A truly beautiful cookbook, with the open-spine design allowing it to lie flat on the bench – while making it a target for splatters, that’s what it’s meant for!