Written by British chef and food writer Sophie Grigson, The First-time Cook is a wonderful way to introduce someone to the glories of the kitchen. While I don't personally own a copy of this book, I did spent some time flipping through it last Friday while I was at the Kitchen Arts and Letters bookstore. I really regretted the fact that I didn't have a friend or family member for whom to buy a copy as it is so easy to follow and beautifully laid out. It doesn't just offer recipes, but also offers step-by-step instruction on how to shop for food and cooking equipment. It warns of possible pitfalls and errors and anticipates many of the mistakes that beginning home cooks make.
If this book feels a little too basic for you, but the detail and layout seem appealing, make sure to check out some of Grigson's other cookbooks (or her mother Jane's, one of which we featured back in January).
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