But this book disappoints, too, because far too many of the cooked puddings are bland and stodgy, especially the sticky date pudding and the very dry apple tart (clag). (Neither can be fixed - they just aren't very good recipes.) The sauces are also well conceived, but the book as a whole isn't especially innovative, and those keen to impress might do better with Christine Manfield or Pierre Herme, while those searchign for reliability would do better with a solid US baking book like those by Rose Levy Beranbaum. Bottom line: Gordon Ramsay is a good chef (but not a worldbeater) but this book is uneven.


Mouthwatering ....   November 7, 2003
 19 out of 27 found this review helpful

I got this book after his "secret" and "season" books. I read it and ... well, the recipes are really delicious. There is such a variety that is impressive. I think it will take a few years before I am able to completely assess all recipes.
There are standard ones and also more daring ones (like the pumpkin cheesecake). There are even few pages on basics like pate sucree and a wonderful mascarpone pastry. Just delicious.
On the "bad" side, the recipes have the same problem as in his other books: there is a great chance that you will have to change the cooking times. The mentioned ones are simply too short (and I own two very different ovens).
Apart from this, the book is very useful ... What about the photos and the other glittering features? This is a recipe book. There are mostly recipes and some mouthwatering photos. But this is essentially a recipe book ... a very excellent one.


Flawless and Reliable   June 15, 2003
 27 out of 34 found this review helpful

I have been using this book for the better part of a year and have probably tried out 70% of the recipies. Incredibly, I have enjoyed a 100% success rate! His descriptions and explanations are clear and leave no doubts. Considering I am in Malaysia and many of the ingredients are hard to come by, the recipies are forgiving enough to still yield amazing results. I have created and recreated many of the items for friends and family and they always leave them asking for more. Gordon Ramsay is a culinary genius. His jellies in particular are an inspiration. His hot puddings, out of this world. Certainly not a book for the pure beginner but at the same time, a small amount of kitchen experience will have you recreating his genius relatively easily. Your friends and family will love it if there's any left after you've sampled it yourself.


Probably the best cookery book I've ever owned   January 26, 2002
 14 out of 26 found this review helpful

Want to know how to cook desserts? Want simply to admire someone else who can? Did you ever imagine jelly was a somewhat boring wobbly confection for children's parties? This is THE tome for you. Beautifully photographed, simply explained. And genuinely well written. Highly recommended.


Gordon Ramsay deserves a 4th star!!   September 15, 2001
 18 out of 40 found this review helpful

This book shows clearly the best of nature at its simplicity. Gordon Ramsay deserves his 4th star for this wonderfull book, of whom everyone can benefit from it, from a young student to a professional patissere. I think this is Gordon Ramsay`s best book