This lavishly illustrated book takes readers on a journey through the history and production of the world's most seductive confection: chocolate. Through the eyes of food critics, chefs, journalists, and historians, this book explores the rich history of chocolate, along with a modern-day investigation of its many flavors and forms. Learn how the cocoa bean, first enjoyed by the Aztecs, has traveled around the globe to produce innumerable variations of chocolate. In the sixteenth century, chocolate was consumed as a highly-spiced drink attributed with curative, even aphrodisiacal, powers. Entrepreneurs like the Cadbury brothers in Bournville, England, Dr. James Baker in Massachusetts, and Milton S. Hershey in Pennsylvania made it possible for modern chocoholics to indulge daily in this once unattainable luxury. This bestseller, first published in 1996, is brought up to date with a guide to the finest purveyors of chocolate worldwide. Illustrated with vintage advertising posters and chocolate packages, fine paintings, and lavish, specially-commissioned photographs, The Book of Chocolate is completed with ten sinfully good recipes.

Just like many pandemic-driven Americans, Europeans are turning on their ovens and rediscovering their roots through baking. This collection of nearly one hundred recipes is presented with elegant yet friendly flair by Laurel Kratochvila, an American-born, boulangerie-trained baker with her own Jewish bakery and bagel shop in Berlin. Each chapter is dedicated to a certain kind of baked product-breads, brioches and enriched doughs, viennoiseries and laminated pastries, tartes and biscuits-and includes foundational recipes and time-honored techniques for dough-shaping, fermentation, seasoning, and fillings. Sprinkled throughout the book are profiles introducing readers to eleven other European bakers who are turning out delicious pastries and breads that reflect the cultural heritage of their home cities of Paris, Warsaw, Copenhagen, Madrid, London, and Lisbon. Recipes such as Baltic rye bread, toasted sesame challah, elderflower maritozzi, honey and fig tropezienne, lamb and fennel sausage rolls, soft pretzels, and spicy ginger caramel shortbreads combine Old World traditions with twenty-first century flavors. Filled with luscious photography, and suitable for bakers at every level of experience, this sophisticated yet accessible guide to home baking is crammed with centuries of European history.

Curl up with the perfect cosy, comforting Christmas romance.When Beth Brown loses her job and her boyfriend in the space of twenty-four hours, she thinks life can't get any worse. That's until she finds herself in the depths of the English countryside working for chef, Rocco di Castri. Not only does she have to deal with his legendary moods, but she's also expected to get his chaotic schedule and workload in check, all while she's nursing a broken heart. It's not long before Rocco's idyllic home starts to work its magic and soon she sees a softer side to her boss too. And as the festive season approaches, Beth dares to look forward to everything the perfect country Christmas has to offer - and perhaps some romance of her own. Until news of an unexpected proposal threatens to put pay to all Beth's plans. Will Beth get her happily-ever-after? Maybe, this Christmas... A festive gem from Jill Steeples, perfect for fans of Cathy Bramley, Heidi Swain and Julie Houston. Please note this title was previously published as Christmas at Whitefriars. What readers say about Jill Steeples: 'I thoroughly enjoyed this book from the very first page to the very last. A really great winter read, warm and cosy throughout. A very easy to rate 5 stars.' 'A brilliant story with all the right ingredients. Love laughter tears and smiles.' 'A feel-good story full of laughs, romance and caring with a few surprises along the way. This book is just what you need when the sun is shining on a chilly spring day.' 'Jill Steeples writing has a nice fast pace and a great easy flow. I love the feelgood factor of her stories. They always manage to put a big smile on my face.'

Curl up with the perfect cosy, comforting Christmas romance.When Beth Brown loses her job and her boyfriend in the space of twenty-four hours, she thinks life can't get any worse. That's until she finds herself in the depths of the English countryside working for chef, Rocco di Castri. Not only does she have to deal with his legendary moods, but she's also expected to get his chaotic schedule and workload in check, all while she's nursing a broken heart. It's not long before Rocco's idyllic home starts to work its magic and soon she sees a softer side to her boss too. And as the festive season approaches, Beth dares to look forward to everything the perfect country Christmas has to offer - and perhaps some romance of her own. Until news of an unexpected proposal threatens to put pay to all Beth's plans. Will Beth get her happily-ever-after? Maybe, this Christmas... A festive gem from Jill Steeples, perfect for fans of Cathy Bramley, Heidi Swain and Julie Houston. Please note this title was previously published as Christmas at Whitefriars. What readers say about Jill Steeples: 'I thoroughly enjoyed this book from the very first page to the very last. A really great winter read, warm and cosy throughout. A very easy to rate 5 stars.' 'A brilliant story with all the right ingredients. Love laughter tears and smiles.' 'A feel-good story full of laughs, romance and caring with a few surprises along the way. This book is just what you need when the sun is shining on a chilly spring day.' 'Jill Steeples writing has a nice fast pace and a great easy flow. I love the feelgood factor of her stories. They always manage to put a big smile on my face.'