Buy now from: Amazon UK
Roger Phillips 5 out of 5!
Absolutely one of my favourite books, Roger Phillips may be less well celebrated than Ray Mears or Richard Mabey but I bet they both own this book. If you are interested in collecting or cooking wild food in the UK or Europe then this book really is essential.
I believe Roger Phillips may be a scientist / botanist rather than a chef as his prolific output of plant and field guides (trees, herbs, vegetable etc, and his excellent “Mushrooms”) show. However his love of seeking out and cooking wild foods of Britain clearly comes through.
Although the title “Wild Food” applies only to wild plants and fungi (unlike Ray Mears book which includes shellfish, trapping etc) this is still probably the most complete reference guide to wild foods in Britain.
Each seaweed, plant, mushroom, fruit has a complete botanical description for identification purposes as well as information on seasons, collecting and preparing as well as, of course, excellent recipes, some from the author and others from “friends” such as Jane Grigson and Katie Stewart. Roger has taken great care with his photography, each image striking a balance between identification, habitat, season and depiction of the recipe.
The book is not laid out in chapters but has a rather unique approach of presenting wild foods as they appear chronologically throughout the year…this approach is aided by the photographs being dated so you can see when Roger himself harvested each wild food and therefore when you can expect to do the same.
I personally have learnt so much from this book and tried many of the recipes especially those for home brewed beers and wines using wild ingredients.
I’m thinking of buying another copy just to keep on the shelf as a reference so my already tattered copy can come with me on country walks as a field guide.
Buy now from: Amazon UK
