Seasonal Secrets from Herefordshire cook Victoria O'Neill (From Hereford Times)

Seasonal Secrets from Herefordshire cook Victoria O'Neill

12:40pm Friday 9th March 2012 in Food & Drink

LAUNCHED this week at the third International Cookbook Fair in Paris, Seasonal Secrets is the first cookbook by local cook Victoria O’Neill, whose cooking classes in Canon Pyon have been running since 1997, after moving to the UK from Sydney, where Cooking with Class began in 1982.

Real cooking, Victoria believes, is inescapably linked with the seasons and her classes, and now her book, provide inspiration for making the most of the rediscovery and revival of local produce.

Herefordshire is now the backdrop and pantry for Victoria’s inspiring use of local produce and suppliers, and woven through the beautifully illustrated recipes is her love of the changing seasons and a lifetime’s experience of teaching the right techniques to help every cook make the most of them.

The book welcomes spring with simple recipes such as smoked salmon with asparagus and celebrates summer with a peach and gruyere tart.

Other recipes include potato gnocchi with duck and blackberry sauce for autumn, and a classic roast goose with endive and pepper for the winter, all tried and tested through years of positive feedback from students, friends and family.

Seasonal Secrets is available from bookshops, Victoria’s website – cooking withclass.co.uk – and at her classes.