Review
I find this book extremely useful. It has a wonderfully comprehensive coverage of both hot and cold smoking, the latter being treated very well (particularly in comparison with other books I've reviewed on this topic). Raw material preparation, curing times and methods are fully covered. For the UK/European reader, this has the appropriate range of meats and other items that you would want to smoke. There's a very obvious emphasis on setting up a smoking business, which sounds like it might alienate some readers, BUT this means that it is scrupulous in dealing with issues of, for example, food safety ... For recipes and methods for curing and smoking European foods, this is a great book that I'd recommend even for beginners. Review by AG Whittaker on Amazon
Product Description
The craft of smoking food was once commonly practised in order to preserve foodstuffs and enhance flavour, but the advent of the cold-store, the fridge and chemical food preservatives saw the decline of the practice. However, as consumer demand increases for wholesome produce, the interest in food smoking is becoming greater. Kate Walker, a professional food smoker has now written a practical guide of value to home-smokers and commercial concerns alike which covers every aspect of the art and craft. Her book covers the history of smoking, selection of raw materials, brining, the practice of smoking at home and for the business concern, smoke ovens and other equipment, setting up a smoking business, finance, marketing, hygiene and environmental matters, packaging and labelling and do's and don'ts. Illustrated both technically and inspirationally, this is an essential handbook for anyone concerned with natural food produce and its preservation.
About the Author
Kate Walker was an authority on the craft of food smoking with an established food smoking business based in Ayrshire. She spent 20 years developing techniques and with her late husband she designed the Gourmet, Global and Gourmand smoke ovens, now in use throughout the world.
