Books : Eating for England: The Delights and Eccentricities of the British at Table

Rating: - Liked it for what it is
Most of you, if you're cookbook collectors, know by now that you rarely get a straight-through cookbook. Rather, it's usually a melange of "where this recipe came from" coupled with some history and/or the author's comments. Such, even more so, is the case with EATING FOR ENGLAND.

This is really not so much a cookbook as a reminiscence and "thoughts" about cooking and England. I was immediately reminded of the novel "Barring Some Unforeseen Accident" in that the author incorporates an actual cookbook within the novel (not anything you're going to want to make, by the way). The way that author pokes fun at cookbooks and their "makers" is very funny, and if you've read enough of these, you'll see what I mean.

My only real complaint with the book is that if you're under thirty, you might not remember or warm to some of the recipes and rembrances that are in this wonderful read. Other than that, have at it.

One thing is for certain, Nigel Slater is passionate about food--and England--and this makes for a very entertaining read. If you're English, you'll understand ninety percent of this book. If you're not, you'll get an education. Either way, the fodder inside is as tasty as the cover looks. I would also recommend any of Delia's books, or FRUGAL FOOD for those looking to save a bit or two.

---

Rating: - Pontefract Cakes, Cadbury's and other British Heroes
My only gripe with this book is, as others have mentioned, the repetition. Whether this was purposeful on Nigel Slater's part, or something overlooked in a swift editing process, I don't know - nor do I care, very much, because the repetition didn't stop me loving "Eating For England".

Like "Toast", reading this often felt much like sitting down with Nigel over a cup of tea and discussing foodie memories that, despite our age gap, we both shared.

You can rave about organic roast beef and coeliac-friendly fish and chips all you like - in "Eating for England", Nigel paints an honest picture of the majority of Britain's tastes. To sum that up, I think there is no better way to put it than in Nigel's own words:

" ... while the French almost called a national strike over any suggestion of using pasteurised milk in their cheese, the Spanish all but went to war to protect their fishing, and Italy gave its Parmesan cheese internationally protected status, we British only truly went into meltdown over the repackaging of the KitKat ... "

---

Rating: - I feel I've read it all before
Nigel Slater is my favourite cookery writer, but this was a disappointment. I loved Toast but this book seems to be made up of its leftovers. There doesn't seem to be anything new in it - I feel I've read it all before. Toast was a much more personal reminiscence and was both funny and sad in places, but I really can't be bothered to finish this one. And I really do love Nigel Slater.

---

Rating: - British food repeating on you...
I thoroughly enjoyed "Toast" and expected similar wit & eloquence in "Eating for England",describing everyday foodstuffs,with a touch of nostalgia thrown in for good measure. Which is what I got to a degree, but in a much more unstructured & disjointed manner. Is it just me, or do many of the randomly assorted musings crop up more than once? How many times did, for example, Nigel describe scones, crumpets, farmers markets and "over sweet" chocolate? In exactly the same way as he had referred to them in the last few entries.

Some interesting observations, but a book to dip in and out of. Which could have done with a lot more editing than it received!

---

Rating: - A Lovely Book
This is not a recipe book. This is not a novel. This is a book of short entries concerning the loves and hates of the English and their food. I have all of Slater's books and avidly await the publication of a new one. The only disappointment to me was that it was too short. It has however, given me something wonderful to read on every day of the Christmas holidays and when I finished the last page today I was very sad. Slater writes with enthusiasm and passion about food. The thing that delights my heart about this and his other books is that despite his clear love and understanding of what makes food good, he is not a food snob. Here you will find entries about Branston Pickle, Ginger Nuts, the dunkability of biscuits and the joys of eating chips as much as the delights of the farmer's market. Slater writes with a wry understanding of the habits of this country, his own particular food weaknesses and a sly sense of fun at some of our culinary pretensions. A lovely book. Hurry up and write some more.