Books always make great Christmas presents and cook books are not just for the ladies, this hot-off-the-press fantastic South African selection will suit the braai master, the earth child, cake baker, wine lover and vegetarian!

Justin Bonello’s Ultimate Braai Master

If you watched the TV series, you saw how contestants redefined the rules of cooking and made gourmet food on an open flame. This book is not only about the road trippers on the Ultimate Braai Master challenge, but the mouth-watering recipes they created and the astonishing places in South Africa that their culinary road trip of 8,000 took them to. 

Make Give Sell by Callie Maritz and Mari-louis Guy

Step out of the processed-food aisles and go on a journey through markets, bazaars and street stalls to find ingredients to make great home-cooked food to satisfy yourself, to give as presents, or even to sell for extra income. The book is filled with creative recipes such as watermelon cake, macadamia nut bobotie, open-faced Aloo pies, Ouma’s milk tart and marshmallow rainbow cake. It’s a visual feast which will inspire you to be at the next market in your neighbourhood.

Celebration Cakes by Grace Stevens

Usually an art form practised by few, this step-by-step book shows you how to perfect fondant cake decorating and add your personal touch. Even beginners will soon be trying flowers, animals and figures, and you’ll also become a master of fillings, coverings and other techniques. Grace Stevens has taken her love for baking beautiful cakes and compiled an easy-to-follow creative fondant adventure.

Luscious Vegetarian by Sonia Cabano and Jade de Waal

Sonia and Jade’s enthusiasm for flavourful cooking bursts from every page of this book, which contains fun and easy vegetarian recipes, perfect for young professionals, bustling families and health-conscious hedonists. This cookbook is the beginning of an adventurous love affair with vegetarian cooking.

Cellarmasters in the Kitchen by Wendy Toerien in association with The Cape Winemakers Guild  (CWG)

This coffee table book focuses on 45  of The Cape Winemakers Guild members; their thoughts, opinions and philosophies on all things to do with wine, as well as anecdotes, insights and experiences of a life with food and wine. Also included are two of each winemaker’s favourite recipes, matched with their own wines. Beautifully written by Wendy Toerien, the text is light-hearted and entertaining.

Recipe News: We will be revealing some of our chef’s own recipes on this blog once a month on a Wednesday starting January 2013.