Fork to Fork

"Self-sufficiency is for cranks," Monty and Sarah Don announce: "organic gardening is not a system to be punished for breaking." In the next breath, however, they inveigh--just as robustly--against the prevailing gardening culture which is all about adding foreign material to the soil: an approach they compare to "throwing antibiotics" at an ill body "and damaging the ability to self-heal."

Monty and Sarah Don are out to steer a middle course between the prevailing, impoverished approach to food production and the behaviours of total cranks whose worry and right-on-ness sucks the pleasure out of the whole business. The book, made to accompany the Channel 4 series, is full of exquisitely simple recipes and fuss-free gardening advice. (The beetroot and red chard risotto is a marvel.) As the diary of a year rooted to the soil, it's sure to be a modern classic. But don't be seduced into thinking it's any sort of bible or cure-all.

It's actually much easier to take advice from a crank--you take what you need and ignore the rest with a clear conscience--than to navigate books like this one, in which everything is tied up with everything else in a seamlessly "sensible"--and unique--scheme. "A boned leg of organic lamb, raised on the water meadow butting onto the garden, strewn with plenty of rosemary and cooked over the most basic of wood fires is not sophisticated cuisine, but a genuine feast nonetheless." Well, sure--but so what?

Monty and Sarah Don are rightly proud of the lifestyle they've achieved. But take their advice, and don't get hung-up. Pillage their prose. Take what you need. --Simon Ings

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Delightful - Rated
It is perhaps quite surprising that there aren't more books available that combine vegetable gardening with the art of cookery so it is a real pleasure that this, the pack leader is such a delight. The enthusiasm of Monty Don flows out from whatever he is doing at the time and there is no difference here in Fork to Fork.
Besides being a practical gardening book and organic to boot, and an inspirational kitchen guide, Fork to Fork is also a visual pleasure, packed with heartwarming garden photography that makes you want to rush outside and emulate.
There was also something else about this book that simply encourages you to take a deep breathe and slow down awhile.
A book that is simply delightful.

Will Joseph.

This is the book I keep coming back to! - Rated
I love growing vegetables and have acquired many volumes on the subject, but 'Fork to Fork' is the business - the one book I keep coming back to!

The clue is in the title, of course - it includes sound month-by-month gardening advice and recipes that deliver the best from the season's produce.

I found Monty and Sarah Don's TV programme of the same name completely absorbing. This book is accessible and informative and I don't hesitate to recommend it to anyone who enjoys growing their own food!

Gardening and cooking book - Rated
This book provides a very good combination between gardening and cooking. I especially liked the seasonal guidance, because nowadays you can buy fruit and vegetables all year round in the supermarket and you loose the knowledge of what is in season. Personally, I would have liked the book to include even more recipes and more food photography.

More recipe book than gardening manual - Rated
I liked this book if only to inspire me to attempt more in my own garden. It gives some tips but no really detailed information for a complete novice. I found the diary aspect pretty dull but some of the recipes are delicious and the principle of eating the food that' s in season appeals to me, even when I have to buy the ingredients!
If you already know what you are doing in the garden and are looking for tips, seasonal recipes and some pretty pictures then this book is definitely for you. If, however, you were looking for a how-to manual then you may be disapointed.

An excellent combination of gardening and cooking - Rated
A friend bought me this as a present and at first I sort of ignored it for a while as being just another gardening book (being possessed of hundreds of gardening books...and cookery books for that matter!). But then I spent a Sunday morning in bed reading this from cover to cover....and what a joy! I have had an allotment for quite some time now and what Monty and Sarah Don manage to convey is the sheer joy of eating your own "free food". It's really amazing, you feel as though you've received a gift everytime you pick, say, the first new potatoes - what excitement as you lift those roots! - or when you harvest onions, all golden brown and papery skinned. Even better when you get your food to the kitchen, cook it and savour the fact it's "free"! This book combines the best of both worlds and is a joy to read and cook from. This book makes you envy Monty and Sarah for their lifestyle and if it doesn't encourage you to grow your own food, then I don't know what will!