Product Description

While walking in South-west France, cook and journalist Orlando Murrin dreamed up the adventure of a lifetime: why not wave goodbye to the rat race and come to live in this rural paradise, where the only traffic is the boulangerie van delivering baguettes? His book tells the story of how he set up a boutique b&b and includes 100 amazing recipes. The story of the Manoir de Raynaudes begins on New Year's Eve 2001 when Orlando and his partner first glimpse the ruined manoir at dusk. Set in 13 acres of lush meadow, woodland, lakes and garden, they set about transforming the dignified old manor house into a phenomenally successful boutique b&b with its own magnificent kitchen garden. A Table in the Tarn charts the discovery, acquisition and renovation of the property. Along the way, we learn about the local food scene, with its astonishingly rich heritage of ingredients and dishes, about working in France and coping with the famous French bureaucracy, and about the unforeseen delight of working with the locals. Four years on, with countless plaudits and a coveted entry in the classy Mr and Mrs Smith directory, the business attracts visitors from around the world and continues to be a gastronomic destination for anyone seeking peace, tranquillity and above all fantastic food. Everything at the Manoir is home made, from breakfast breads to after-dinner chocolates, and the book includes 100 recipes. From the sublime Roquefort Brioche via Savoury Mini Clafoutis and Roast Pigeon Breasts in Armagnac to the unparalleled Chocolate Nirvana with Creme Anglaise, this collection of recipes offers a vivid experience of life in rural France. Cooks everywhere will devour the descriptions of country cooking as mastered by generations of French cooks. Not only will you learn the insider secrets of making acclaimed dishes from the Manoir, but find out what it's like to make a dream come true.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18618 in Books
• Published on: 2008-04-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 256 pages

Review
'If there is any justice in the market, Murrin's book will break all records - it is beautiful and perfectly executed!the nature and identity of the house at its centre - the elegant Manoir de Raynaudes - haunts every recipe and every word on the pages. This is quite simply a joy of a book.' Simon Gallagher, Borders. Reviews for Orlando's previous book, The No-Cook Cook Book: 'One of the best books of 2003, this is bursting with savvy and style. Best of all, you don't have to be a skilled cook to get great results' Jennie Muir, Independent 'A year after it was published, I'm still recommending this book to anyone who has to entertain guests but lacks confidence' Jenni Muir, the Independent Review 'The book shimmers with verve, style and dash, the photographs make the simple look sophisticated and the recipes! are remarkably clever and appealing.' Henrietta Green, Daily Mail 'This book landed on my desk on the hottest day of the year. I have been using it ever since.' Leslie Geddes-Brown, Country Life 'Lazy cooks have been fighting to get this book off the shelves.' The Week Reviews for Orlando's previous book, The No-Cook Cook Book: 'If the thought of preparing a meal fills you with dread, help is at hand!. The results are amazingly impressive.' Michael Bateman, Independent on Sunday 'It is easy to understand and follow, and in many cases -- inspirational. I haven't seen a cheat's recipe as good as this since Delia Smith's How to Cheat at Cooking published in 1971' Antony Worrall Thomson, Daily Express Saturday Magazine 'The revolutionary cookbook we have all been waiting for has finally arrived, one that shows how to create more than 200 delectable dishes with no home cooking involved at all. ' Emma Pomfret, Bath Chronicle

From the Inside Flap
What happens when you make the choice to live out your dream ...?

When Orlando Murrin made the momentous decision to leave his life in London and open a boutique guest-house with his partner in a little known part of rural South-west France, he had some idea of how much he was taking on, but very little idea what a huge success it would turn out to be.

Le Manoir de Raynaudes, a modest but dignified old manor house amid a landscape of gorges and fortified villages, has been painstakingly transformed into a gastronomic destination. And in transforming himself from keen amateur cook to passionate professional, Orlando has created a table that is widely considered one of the finest in the Midi-Pyrenees.

A Table in the Tarn is a remarkable and intimate cookbook which describes in detail how to make more than 100 of the Manoir's acclaimed dishes. The origin of every recipe is given, along with the secrets that make the dish special and the learned-the-hard-way tips for achieving perfect results. The book also tells the fascinating story of the challenge of finding and renovating the Manoir, the creation of magnificent vegetable, fruit and herb gardens to supply the kitchen with produce, and the extraordinary people, from the neighbouring hamlet and from further afield, who play their part.

About the Author
After reading English at Cambridge Orlando Murrin became a journalist. While working on Cosmopolitan, his lifelong passion for cooking resulted in him reaching the semi-finals of BBC2's Masterchef. In 1997 his career and his culinary skills were combined in the role of Editor, BBC Good Food magazine. His first cookbook, The Clever Cook, was a collection of his columns for the Daily Express. In 2003, he published The No Cook Cookbook. His boutique b&b, The Manoir de Raynaudes, opened in June 2004.

Customer Reviews

I want to go there!
I bought this book as an accompaniment to another cook-book - to get free delivery. The so called main book has been shelved and although I haven't read this one from cover to cover (saving it, determined not to read all in a oner) I have already recommended it on a worldwide newsletter. Although the recipes are superb - I am enjoying all Orlando's observations.

A very special bit of magic
Okay, I've been there, made new friends, `sent the postcard' and now have the book. Magimix now on order and can't wait to try some of Orlando's recipes savoured at Le Manoir. Written with caring, and much love, by an exceptionally talented Orlando. Rare in these days of `celebrity chefs' that Orlando shares his `tips' to ensure that everyone can enjoy success with his wonderful recipes ... and there seems to be a story for every recipe too.

I defy anyone who reads this book not to want to beat a path to Orlando and Peter's; meet the villagers and, of course, try the recipes, and `send the postcard'. Without having to stretch the imagination in the slightest, you will feel you are there before you've even left home. I cannot recommend highly enough this beautiful read followed hotly by a visit to Raynaudes and discover a most special area in France. Enjoy the magic!

Wonderful!
I asked for this for my birthday having read an excerpt in a Sunday paper. It's the best sort of travel/lifestyle/cook book. Everything's here; I defy anyone not to want to book themselves in for a stay having read it. And the recipes work too!
I keep it by my bed, and can't wait for "A Table in the Tarn, Book 2".