Mark Diacono is lucky enough to spend most of his time eating, growing, writing and talking about food. He has written a number of award-winning books, including A Year at Otter Farm and A Taste of the Unexpected (which both won Food Book of the Year for André Simon and the Guild of Food Writers, respectively), Sour (which was Food Book of the Year 2019 in The Sunday Times and Daily Mail, and nominated for a James Beard Award in the US), Herb and Spice. Known for growing everything from Szechuan pepper to pecans to Asian pears, Mark's refreshing approach to growing and eating has done much to inspire a new generation to grow some of what they eat. He was involved with River Cottage, appearing in the TV series, running courses and events at River Cottage HQ, and he has written four River Cottage books. Mark has a monthly column in The Sunday Times, and writes regularly for a range of publications including The Telegraph, Delicious and Country Life; his features have appeared in The Observer, Guardian, National Geographic, and others. He also speaks and demos at food festivals around the UK and writes for an engaged and growing audience on his Substack: ‘Mark Diacono’s Imperfect Umbrella’.
""This amazing book will bring sunshine into your life. Mark is such a knowledgeable and fabulous writer who takes the simplest of vegetables and recipes to another level."" -- Angela Hartnett This amazing book will bring sunshine into your life. Mark is such a knowledgeable and fabulous writer who takes the simplest of vegetables and recipes to another level. Mark puts vegetables in their place, and that’s right at the centre of the table. Follow him on a journey through the seasons, feasting on your way. Simple, soulful, seasonal. ""Mark puts vegetables in their place, and that’s right at the centre of the table. Follow him on a journey through the seasons, feasting on your way. Simple, soulful, seasonal."" -- Yotam Ottolenghi ""This is a wonderful book. Mark Diacono has combined his exceptional skill and passion for growing and cooking along with his own superb photography to create something truly inspiring and beautiful. I am deeply jealous!"" -- Monty Don This is a wonderful book. Mark Diacono has combined his exceptional skill and passion for growing and cooking along with his own superb photography to create something truly inspiring and beautiful. I am deeply jealous! ""This is such a joyful and beautiful book. Mark Diacono make me yearn to eat more seasonal vegetables, not because they will be good for me but because his recipes are so full of colour, flavour and excitement that I can't imagine a better way to eat and to cook. He is also one of the wittiest food writers in Britain."" -- Bee Wilson This is such a joyful and beautiful book. Mark Diacono make me yearn to eat more seasonal vegetables, not because they will be good for me but because his recipes are so full of colour, flavour and excitement that I can't imagine a better way to eat and to cook. He is also one of the wittiest food writers in Britain. In a world where the way we eat is becoming ever more important, this inspiring veg bible is absolutely brilliant. ""In a world where the way we eat is becoming ever more important, this inspiring veg bible is absolutely brilliant."" -- Julius Roberts