What cookbooks do some of our favorite authors love?

Penguin Books turns 90 this year (making them the same age as Jacques Pépin), and as the publisher hits this milestone, it is taking stock of the many foundational books under its imprint, including its cookery books. As Penguin states, its “cookery publishing has shaped trends, reflected social and cultural shifts, and highlighted the food traditions and staple ingredients of cuisines the world over.” The publisher asked eleven cookbook authors what their favorite Penguin titles were, and the answers were a delight to read.

Authors providing their favorites included Yotam Ottolenghi, Jamie Oliver, Rick Stein, Claudia Roden, and Sami Tamimi, among others. Both Ottolenghi and Tamimi cited Claudia Roden volumes, the former choosing The Book of Jewish Food and the latter selecting The Food of Spain. As Ottolenghi eloquently states, “Claudia doesn’t just offer recipes; she gives context, memory and meaning.” The book that most influenced Roden herself was A Book of Mediterranean Food by Elizabeth David.

Jamie Oliver’s choice was The River Cafe Cookbook by Rose Gray and Ruth Rogers, the first cookbook he ever purchased. Oliver worked at The River Cafe under Gray and Rogers and said he was “captivated by Rose and Ruth’s unapologetic desire to source and celebrate the best in seasonal produce.” Other authors noted for their influence were Jane Grigson, Simon Hopkinson, Nigella Lawson, Jamie Oliver, and Ixta Belfrage. You can’t argue against works by any of those celebrated authors.