An East Yorkshire chef whose cookery is inspired by a global catering career spanning 35 years has launched her first recipe book.
Ali Bilton, who has worked in private catering and has lived in London, Spain and Hong Kong, was inspired to write Ali Bilton cooks…her favourites to bring together a selection of family favourites and recipes that evoke memories of the far flung places where she has lived.
The self-published book includes over 60 recipes and features recollections and photos from her life, including a touching foreword dating back 20 years from her then seven year old son, Charlie: “Mum is the greatest cook ever, even better than Jamie Oliver …. When I’m older I want to work for mum so that I can serve her gorgeous food.”
Of the launch, Ms Bilton, who is currently a private chef and head tutor at the multi award winning Yorkshire Wolds Cookery School, said: “Writing the book has been a real labour of love and, thanks to the help of an army of fabulous people, I’m delighted with the way it has turned out.
“Having been inspired to cook by so many amazing people and places, it gives me great pleasure to pass on my favourite recipes. I hope that they carry on travelling.”
Reviewing the book, acclaimed Yorkshire born Chef Consultant and former executive chef at Harrogate’s Rudding Park Hotel, Stephanie Moon said: “Ali Bilton cooks is a great book for the beginner and strong cook alike. You know the recipes are tried and thoroughly tested and will work well.
“Ali has a great way to make the recipes clear and easy to follow. The pictures help by giving you a step by step walk through and for the less knowledgeable cook, this will be a godsend.”
In the course of Ms Bilton’s career, she has met royalty and cooked for financiers in Gibraltar and the Marlboro Honda Formula 1 team in the Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost era.
The book, described by Ms Bilton as ‘Yorkshire ingredients, gourmet food and the occasional dog’ includes recipes for all meal occasions and also has sections on extra tips, favourite suppliers and useful gadgets and equipment.
“If you need to impress your family with a culinary treat, these are real family favourites and I have enjoyed Ali’s book very much. She puts her recipes across like the brilliant teacher she is.” Ms Moon concludes.
Ms Bilton will follow her first book with a series of cookery vlogs, blogs and tutorials in 2020.
Ali Bilton cooks…her favourites costs £15.00 and is available online at alibiltoncooks.com and from the Yorkshire Wolds Cookery School.
