From an inquisitive child trying out her first taste of cooking in the family home to a successful restaurant entrepreneur, May Wakefield of the Chilli Banana restaurant franchise has now released a Thai cook book showcasing her culinary journey. With more than 50 diverse recipes and stunning photographs, taken in Thailand and Cheshire, the 'Chilli Banana' cook book captures the essence of Thailand's vibrant food culture. The dishes range from starters and sharers - including grilled prawns, marinated steak strips, spring rolls and fishcakes - to traditional soups, noodle dishes, rice dishes and salads. The book explores a variety of cooking styles from deliciously simple street food, to popular home cooked meals as well as adventurous cuisine from Bangkok's high class skyscraper restaurants. With anecdotes, tips, spice ratings and flavour profiles, May Wakefield guides you through the cooking process for each dish to ensure that authentic Thai dishes can be created every time. May and her husband Steve set up the first Chilli Banana restaurant in Wilmslow nearly 20 years ago and continue to serve fresh, flavoursome and authentic Thai cuisine from their three Chilli Banana restaurants across the north west. Now, they bring a collection of their most popular, and personal favourite dishes directly into your home.

Illustrated by: Paul Cocker, Marc Barker