Byron, Cooking and Eating, Steven Snow, Murdoch Books, 2008, rrp $69.95, hardcover,  lavishly illustrated, 250+ pages

They say you can’t judge a book by its cover, but the first hint of how unique this book is comes from the amazing origami-meets-poster dust jacket. Open it out to see scenes from one of Australia’s loveliest regions.

Author and chef Steven Snow is a bit of a legend on the north coast of NSW. His restaurants have won awards and made news for years, so his many fans will be thrilled with this book.

Snow’s collection of recipes gathered no doubt over his many years of cooking in his highly awarded restaurants around Byron Bay has been a long time coming, and will be even more appreciated because of this.

“My intention in this book,” begins Snow in the book’s introduction, “is to give away as many secrets and impart as much knowledge as I can.” He succeeds.

And of course the bounty of this tropical area is well represented with dishes featuring mangoes and avocadoes and other local fruits. Steven Snow is best known for his way with seafood (hence Fins, the name of a couple of his restaurants – the current one is at South Kingscliff)  and so of course here you will find plenty of dishes featuring Australian seafood to be prepared in his inimitable style.

Surfing dudes will love it for the many shots of waves and boards (courtesy of  photographer Brett Boardman); vegetarians are well catered for; seafood fans will have their fill. Food lovers will be thrilled.

.