The Contini Cookbook
100 authentic Italian recipes from her Edinburgh restaurant, inspired by regional Italian flavors.
For Carina Contini food is a both a passion and a way of life. Her family’s connections to Italy and their extensive travels there – from the rolling hills of Tuscany to the sun-drenched shores of Sicily – have enriched the recipes which feature on the menu of Contini George Street, Edinburgh. At the award-winning restaurant, which Carina runs with her husband, Victor, all the ingredients come direct from Italy or are sourced locally – many even from their own kitchen garden.
In this book Carina shares 100 tried-and-tested dishes for sharing with family and friends including small plates, soups, hearty pastas, meat, seafood dishes, salads, drinks, dolci and other treats. The recipes come from many different parts of Italy, showcasing the rich variety of Italian regional cooking, all of which can be reproduced in your own kitchen.
'This delightful book, full of charming tales and lip-smacking recipes, will raise your spirits, whet your appetite, inspire your cooking and get you thinking' – Joanna Blythman, food journalist and writer
Author
After training and working as a chartered surveyor, Carina Contini and her husband Victor set up Centotre – now Contini George Street – in Edinburgh. She maintains a high profile in the food and drink industry, having been Glenfiddich Food Personality of the Year and Harpers and Queens Food Personality Scotland. Carina has written on food and drink for The Scotsman since 2012 and regularly contributes to The Herald and BBC Scotland.
Review
Warm, witty, and wise, Carina’s writing is instantly engaging. Every word she writes is worth reading ... This delightful book, full of charming tales and lip-smacking recipes, will raise your spirits, whet your appetite, inspire your cooking and get you thinking'
Joanna Blythman, food journalist and writer
The Continis are as much a part of Edinburgh as the Castle and Princes Street . . . This book is a love letter to their heritage but also a celebration of what they do and the special place Italian food has in Scottish hearts . . . and stomachs. You can’t read it without feeling hungry and wanting to cook one of the delicious recipes'
Stephen Jardine, journalist and broadcaster
When budgets for nights out are under strain then the 100 recipes to be found in this handsomely decked out book might be worth trying out.'
Teddy Jamieson, The Herald, 10 Books to Read Right Now
Carina shares a selection of her favourite recipes for eating with family and friends. The dishes come from many different parts of Italy, showcasing the rich variety of Italian cooking'
Kerry Teakle, Edinburgh Reporter
This beautiful new book honours the family ties to Italy, the bountiful produce that arrives direct from there, and the recipes that have sustained and delighted diners for decades'
The Herald, Christmas Gift Guide
filled with seasonal Italian family favourites'
Sunday Post
The recipes are simply written and achievable, and Carina's stories and recollections woven throughout are a real joy'
Dunfermline Press
[a] beautiful new book honours the family ties to Italy'
The National
The hearts of every Edinburgh foodie will jump for joy at seeing this cookbook... If you want to reboot your culinary repertoire, I can’t imagine a more delicious place to begin'
Scottish Field
captures the ethos not only of what they do, but who the Contini Family are... SWH! can highly recommend The Contini Cookbook as the perfect gift'
Scots Whay Hae podcast
This is one of the finest Italian cookbooks I have read, one to always to have to hand, and destined to be food-splattered and dog-eared before you know it'
Product Magazine, a Best Non-Fiction Book of 2024
[a] showcase of the rich variety of Italian recipes'