Cuisinier Gascon- Memories & Meals Of A Gascon Chef by Pascal Aussignac published by Absolute Press RRP £25 A lavish, coffee-table affair, this book's a looker from the intricate cover art to Jean Cazals' starkly beautiful, full-page photography within. It delivers on prose, too- Michelin-starred Pascal Aussignac knows his subject inside out, conveying a calm sense of authority to the reader. There's attention to finer detail, too- tips for serving dishes restaurant-style are frequently inclusions, as are cook's notes on Gascon traditions. Fans of Aussignac's food at Club Gascon or Le Comptoir Gascon will be delighted to discover recipes for classics such as Cassoulet Toulousain and Gascony Pie- sure to evoke a little French je ne sais quoi at the dining table, while discourse on topics such as the role of salt in delicious snacks make for entertaining reading. Put simply, 'Cuisinier Gascony' is a thorough and fitting celebration of the native area of its author, and of his enduring passion for his region. |