Italian Kitchen

There are two important influences in my cooking life: my mother and Anna del Conte. Anna is the best Italian food writer. She changed the way the English thought about Italian cooking * Nigella Lawson *My favourite Italian food writer * Delia Smith *The best Italian food writer around * Nigella Lawson *Something of a hero… Her lemon risotto is heavenly, her plums cooked with wine, spices and rosemary a delicious staple. Her writing is warm and unaffected, and full of fascinating historical detail * Guardian *Lots has changed in the food world sine Del Conte first published these recipes in 1993, but they remain classics of their type, with a few interesting curve balls thrown in for good measure, such as risotto with smoked salmon and whiskey * Irish Times *

Anna Del Conte is the doyenne of Italian cookery. She has written twelve books including the acclaimed Portrait of Pasta, Gastronomy of Italy and Amaretto, Apple Cake and Artichokes. She won the Duchessa Maria Luigia di Parma award for Gastronomy of Italy, and has won awards from the Guild of Food Writers and the Academia Italiana della Cucina. In 2010 Anna received from the president of the Italian republic the honour of Ufficiale dell’Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana in recognition of the work she does for Italy and Italian food in this country. In 2011 Nigella Lawson presented her with the Life Achievement Award of the Guild of Food Writers. She lives in Dorset.