Book Details

"A Very Honest Cook: Recipes and Stories from 35 Years at the Stove" is a culinary memoir by Stephen Markwick, co-authored with food writer Fiona Beckett. Markwick, who has been cooking in the West Country for 35 years, shares his journey from his early days at the stove to his current role as the owner and chef of Culinaria in Bristol. The book features a selection of his favorite recipes, including Provençal Fish Soup, Leek and Cream Tart, Squid with Red Wine, Orange and Chilli, Beef Bourguignon, Braised Partridge with Cabbage, Bacon and Lentils, and St Emilion au Chocolat. Each recipe is accompanied by personal anecdotes and insights, reflecting Markwick's culinary philosophy and the influences of iconic British cooks such as Elizabeth David, Jane Grigson, and George Perry-Smith. The book was self-published in 2009 and is available through Culinaria's online shop.