First published 2025
Michèle Roberts believes cooking for a friend reveals affection through direct, practical care. She gathers over 170 recipes from historical cookbooks and personal collections, organizing them around three seasons that mirror friendship's own cycles of change and growth. Roberts draws inspiration from the 1929 classic La bonne cuisine by Madame Saint-Ange, weaving in favorites from writer Colette alongside regional French specialties. Each recipe comes with Roberts' witty stories and observations about the connections between food and friendship. The dishes are designed for simplicity, allowing cooks to focus on their guests rather than kitchen chaos. Roberts argues that composing a menu for someone specific demonstrates deep understanding and appreciation. Her seasonal approach matches particular dishes to moments throughout the year, creating opportunities to strengthen bonds through shared meals.
Genres: friendship, relationships, cooking, food, cookbooks, food-and-drink, food-writing
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family
Setting: France
Period: 1929, 20th-century
150 pages · Paperback · Les Fugitives