Tender: Volume I, A cook and his vegetable patch

'Slater applies his very evocative, sensual writing style to such topics as tomato varieties – which ones he likes and why – with impressive verve…it's an inspiring read; we are left feeling if he can do it, so could we.' Guy Dimond, Time Out, Book of the Week 'Slater's writing, always a bit exquisite, has here been burnished a stage further into prose poetry…it is nothing less than a combined spiritual testament and devotional manual: a guide to the way of St Nigel…he's genuinely original…Nothing here is second-hand, let alone insincere. And that makes Tender a book to treasure, to read and re-read, as well as to cook from…it really is that rarity, a companion for life.' David Sexton, Evening Standard 'A fine collection of honest, interesting, life-sustaining recipes that beg the reader to pick up a vegetable knife and start chopping.' Daily Telegraph 'Suffused with genuine passion and the author's natural enthusiasm for veg, growing it and cooking it…It is a timely guide as recession has sent us all back to the land, with allotment waiting lists stretching out for years.' Sunday Telegraph 'The don of them all.' Daily Mail 'This is one to treasure, beautifully written, informative and inspiring in equal measure.' Fuschia Dunlop, FT, Books of the Year 'Gorgeous recipes.' Ben Wilson, Sunday Times, Books of the Year 'A book so beautiful that you crave Slater's life and his garden.' Kate Colquhoun, Daily Telegraph, Books of the Year ‘Brilliant as always.’ Leslie Geddes Brown, Country Life Magazine, Books of the Year