New Larousse Gastronomique (Octopus Publishing Group)

The definitive culinary encyclopedia, updated and containing over 900 new photos, both in colour and b/w, and 85 biographies of chefs added. Originally published in 1938, this is still a source of information for cooks and chefs, with people such as Heston Blumenthal, Gordon Ramsay, Ken Hom and Michel Roux citing it for praise. Since 2004, the volume of cookery books sold has almost doubled.