"Plenty" is a good title for this book, in that it's plentiful in ideas, thoughts, observations and opinions - not all of which I agreed with (I can't quite come at some of the meat-centric dishes she enthuses about). It's full of a lifetime's experience and immersion in the culture of food and as one of Australia's most well known restaurateurs, Gay Bilson knows more about it than most. She's also formidably well read and the literary references and digressions that are liberally sprinkled through the book add another depth of perspective which adds even more credibility to her views. Although it's to a large extent memoir, in that she writes at length about her life as a cook and in restaurants in chronological order, her style of writing is not one to make readers feel like she would be easy to get to know. She tends to steer clear of any too personal reflections or observations and restricts her observations about relationships in her life and how they've affected her to the working ones. Still, in a book subtitled "digressions on food" this is probably to be expected. As someone who's grown up with Australia's culinary culture and been active in its shaping, she traces our evolution as diners from the early, very unsophisticated days to today in a clear and compelling fashion. Now that she's stepped back from centre stage and is living the quiet life in a tranquil, semi-rural part of South Australia, she's in a good position to see things in perspective, as well as enjoy a lifestyle where she can grow and enjoy her own food for herself instead of constantly providing it for others. ( )

I quote from the front cover 'Gay Bilson's writing is in turn cerebral and sensuous, analytical and celebratory, purposeful and playfully digressive. This book offers pleasure and nourishment in equal measure.' After reading this book I cannot disagree. I can only hope she continues to write. Having run one of the best restaurants in Australia it is clear that she could have chosen to be an equally successful author. ( )