1. Jamie's Ministry of Food - Jamie Oliver £25

If you're a complete beginner in the kitchen, Jamie's promise to you is that you'll be making some great dinners within hours of reading his book. A little knowledge and a few basic tools can go a long way, and this book is your first step ...

2. Nigella Christmas - Nigella Lawson £25

Nigella Christmas comprises reliable, practical, easy-to-follow recipes and reassuring advice about planning and cooking ahead, presented in a gorgeous glittering package which will make this the ultimate gift to yourself and for family and friends.

3. Delia's Frugal Food - Delia Smith £17.99

Thirty years on, the message of Delia's Frugal Food has never seemed more relevant. With some 170 recipes, from luxury soups to paupers' puddings, this new illustrated edition shows you how to eat well without having to spend a fortune.

4. Cooking for Friends - Gordon Ramsay £25

TV's most popular chef, Gordon Ramsay, bridges the gap between his famous chef's table (situated in the white heat of his restaurant kitchen) and his table at home with Tana and their young family. His latest cookbook is packed with simple, seasonal, modern British recipes.

5. Maw Broon's But an' Ben Cookbook £9.95

Another selection of recipes from Scotland's legendary Broon's family, as seen in the pages of the Sunday Post since 1936!

6. Bake - Rachel Allen £20

Allen shares both the sweet and the savoury sides of baking, whether quick snacks, wholesome breads and pies, exotic cakes and tarts or easy baked meals for friends and family. Fully illustrated with beautiful food photography including step-by-steps to take the mystery out of traditional baking and pastry making.

7. Anjum's New Indian - Anjum Anand £20

Following the huge success of Anjum's television debut in BBC's "Indian Food Made Easy", the same team has come together again for a new series and accompanying book, this time focusing on regional Indian cooking.

8. Delia's How to Cheat at Cooking - Delia Smith £20

In "How to Cheat at Cooking", Delia has sourced a range of pre-prepared foods (from tins, chill cabinets, freezers and store cupboards) to help you short circuit cooking times and techniques. Readily available from supermarkets, delis, online food shops and farmers markets and of the very best quality these recipes using instant time savers will allow you to create fabulous food without the faff.

9. Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book - Hugh Johnson £9.99

Now in its 32nd edition, this is the UK's number one wine book and appeals to both wine lovers and professionals alike, making it the key reference for enthusiasts, investors and collectors. This year's edition boasts up-to-date news on more than 6,000 wines, growers and regions plus invaluable vintage information from expert contributors around the world.

10. 101 One-Pot Dishes - BBC Good Food Magazine £4.99

The team at "Good Food Magazine" have gathered their tried-and-trusted recipes together, to create another fail-safe book of ideas in the hugely popular "101" series. Each recipe is accompanied by a full-page colour photograph, so you can create a winner every time.

Source: Waterstones : All prices correct at time of printing

Explore Food & Drink

• Gordon Ramsay

• Heston Blumenthal

• Recipes

• Wine

• Real Food

• Drinks

• Anjum Anand

• Eating Out

• Video Recipes

Times Recommends

• Top Ten most searched for recipes
• Chalet Chef 2010: the winning menus
• Gin and pomegranate jellies