In this seminal book Gordon Ramsay shows how by using the very best of seasonal ingredients and combining them sensitively in innovative combinations, he creates the totally modern flavoursome dishes for which he is famous. Divided into four chapters - Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter - Gordon first digresses about his favourite ingredients, explaining why he likes them, giving culinary tips and suggesting unusual combinations, then presents a series of delicious recipes. An appendix gives basic recipes and a series of useful culinary techniques in step-by-step photographs. One of Gordon's favourite Spring recipes is Pea Soup, combining fresh young peas, streaky bacon and chicken stock in a way which as Gordon says "has everything going for it - a tempting colour, velvety smooth texture and a wonderful fresh flavour". One favourite combination is to "marry the sweet succulent flesh of peaches with aromatic thyme. The herb seems to cut the richness of the peach flavour and heighten the fruitiness". Other favourites include lavender and chocolate, lobster and mango, potatoes and black olives. Each dish is superbly cooked and presented - the results seem impossibly perfect. Yet appearances can be deceptive: when deconstructed, the dishes are mostly simplicity itself. With this superlative mixture of fresh ingredients, culinary advice, innovative combinations and mouthwatering recipes Gordon Ramsay proves that he really is a Chef for All Seasons.
