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He's one of New Zealand's leading chefs, the man behind the menus of such places as Euro, Pasha, Pravda, Shed 5 and The Jervois Steakhouse, and now Simon Gault has just released his latest cookbook, Nourish (Random, $49.99).
It's full of fantastic recipes that are also practical and achievable. Oh yes, there are the tricky ones - inspired, like Gault is, by the groundbreaking Spanish El Bulli restaurant - but you'll also find how to make wicked mashed potato, transform oysters and revolutionise butterscotch pudding (something to do with rum-spiked caramel sauce).
"I am constantly amazed by how, as a nation, our expectations and willingness to experiment with food continues to grow," enthuses Gault.
"We are also now more spoiled than ever with the variety of produce and ingredients that are available to us. So we can really push the boundaries - even if it's with simple dishes."
Irishman Richard Corrigan, the chef and author of The Clatter of Forks and Spoons (Harper Collins, $59.99), is considered one of the most important voices of the British food scene. With a number of Michelin stars under his belt, he now runs Bentley Seafood Bar & Grill in London and has a reputation for being outspoken on everything from supporting small producers to the overall quality of produce used throughout Britain. This is a good solid read with stories about Corrigan growing up on a farm, meeting different food artisans and, of course, lots of great recipes.
If your New Year resolution is to try something new in the kitchen department, then Gary Rhodes' 365/One Year (Penguin, $65) is bound to inspire. Quite simply, he provides a new recipe for every day of the year. Rhodes is another television celebrity and Michelin-awarded chef from Britain and here he's put together recipes that range from the elaborate to simple weekend meals for all the family.
Nigella Christmas (Random House, $79.99). If you're still trying to decide what to serve the extended family for Christmas, then this is the book for you. From how to create the perfect roast potato to yule logs and star biscuits, Nigella, the modern-day goddess of the kitchen, has dedicated more than 270 pages to recipes and ideas that will ensure your season of celebrating will be done in true style - with food that looks and tastes delicious - plus allow you plenty of time to enjoy yourself as well.
For all those hunters and gatherers out there who fancy themselves as gourmet chefs, Kai Time (New Holland, $34.99) is just what you're looking for. Author and chef Peter Peeti, the man behind the televion show Kai Time on the Road, draws inspiration from Maori cuisineand combines it with modern international cooking styles. The book is divided into: Forest, Far, Lakes & Rivers, Seashore, Deep Sea and Sweet & Breads. So, wherever you find yourself hunting and gathering over the holidays, you're sure to find a recipe that shows you how to whip it into something special.
There's nothing more fabulous when you're taking a road trip, exploring this beautiful country of ours, than stopping at an unknown cafe or restaurant and having a fabulous meal. Well, Coastal Kitchen (New Holland, $39.99), has captured this idea by bringing together recipes from some of this country's leading seaside eateries. Try the mussel fritters and sweet chilli sauce from the Hot Waves Cafe at Hot Water Beach or the fresh barbecued crayfish from Kaikoura Seafood Barbecue. Even if you don't get to go on a road trip this summer, you can eat your way around the country with this book and the beautiful photographs by Ian Batchelor.
Finally, with its subtitle "how to cook delicious food without really trying", Faking It (ABC Adult Books, $49.99) by Valli Little is a must for the holiday season. This is all about creating tasty, achievable dishes - think Asian marinated baked salmon or roast pumpkin with white bean salad - before heading off to the beach or the nearest hammock with a good book.
