AS A BUSY MUM the kitchen is my haven – a place where I spend most of my time, enjoying every moment, be it alone, with my family or with my friends. There’s nothing in life that brings me greater joy than feeding people who love to be fed. Weekends are the time I get to relax and indulge in my passion for cooking. It’s a time when  things slow down a little from our usually busy lives; it’s a time to reflect and get creative in the  kitchen. Born from those weekends, this cookbook is designed to bring the ease and joy of weekend cooking into your everyday, with recipes that are perfect for any day of the week.

My culinary style has been shaped by a rich blend of influences – from my grandmother’s exquisite baking to the exotic tastes of my travels and food-writing career. My parents were both great cooks who taught me the basics and inspired me to discover and experiment. I trained as a chef and pastry chef and although this honed my skills, I believe the real magic has come from tuning into my culinary instincts and the daily kitchen hustle and bustle. I’ve been lucky enough to live overseas three  imes, twice in London, and once in the Caribbean. These experiences  roadened my culinary horizons and inspired me to introduce new flavours into my cooking.

This book is intended as a response to lives most of us lead. There just isn’t enough time to stand by the stove at length, but we still want great things on our plate. This book is all about clever cooking – the search for those culinary shortcuts that don’t skimp on taste.