Book tip of the week: 200 x Italy

The XXL cooking and baking school
© EMF / Klara&Ida
© EMF / Klara&Ida
13. April 2025

 | Editorial team

“200 x Italy – The XXL Cooking and Baking School” is a real feast for all lovers of Italian cuisine. This set of two comprehensive cookery and baking books takes us on a culinary journey across Italy – from the Alps to Sicily. With over 200 authentic recipes and numerous background stories, it invites you to experience the diversity and tradition of Italian cuisine directly in your own kitchen.

We are particularly impressed by the range of recipes, which really doesn’t leave any area out. From classic antipasti to hearty main courses such as risotto alla milanese or arancini to sweet temptations such as torta della nonna and amaretti, there is something for every taste. The clear instructions make cooking easy even for beginners, while experienced amateur cooks will be inspired by the variety of dishes to try something new.

The lovingly designed reports, anecdotes and atmospheric photographs are a highlight of the book. They manage to perfectly capture the charm and joie de vivre of Italy and convey a feeling of dolce vita that goes beyond the mere preparation of the recipes. The stories about traditional festivals and regional specialties make the book more than just a collection of recipes – it is a declaration of love to Italian cuisine and culture.

Info:
Edition Michael Fischer / EMF Verlag
ISBN 978-3-7459-2288-2
640 pages

Our conclusion

“200 x Italy - The XXL Cooking and Baking School” is an inspiring collection of recipes and stories that celebrates Mediterranean flavors and the joy of cooking. It is an indispensable work for anyone who wants to discover and enjoy Italian cuisine in all its diversity. Perfect as a gift - or for your own kitchen to bring a piece of Italy into your home. Buon appetito!

A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît!
Copyright for the featured images used:
© EMF / Klara&Ida

Book tip: Eat Yourself Healthy

Healthy eating as a joy of life

Jamie Oliver shows how healthy eating doesn’t mean sacrifice, but rather a joy of life. With 120 recipes, 50 practical hacks, and a 2-week kickstarter plan, the book proves that conscious enjoyment, energy, and taste go wonderfully together—uncomplicated, suitable for everyday use, and inspiring.

INFO
Eat Yourself Healthy
Author: Jamie Oliver
Translation: Helmut Ertl
Publisher: DK Verlag
Length: 320 pages
ISBN: 978-3-8310-5230-1
Price: €32.00

ahgz Star Awards 2026: JAN and Schwarzwaldstube at the top

Why the Night of the Stars is becoming a seismograph for top-class gastronomy

When more than 275 star chefs gather at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, it’s more than just a gala event. It creates a powerhouse of culinary art – concentrated, condensed, highly professional. The ahgz Star Awards 2026, presented during the “Night of Stars,” impressively demonstrated how strongly top-class gastronomy is networked in German-speaking countries – and how willing it is to reflect on itself.

Lots of noise – little context

What does this have to do with communication?

What is it? Technically hardly necessary, loud and therefore highly suspicious from a social perspective, and experiencing its second spring or autumn in February? That’s right – it’s the leaf blower! Once invented to blow autumn leaves off the streets and somewhere where, in the best case scenario, they might be less of a nuisance. Currently, this device is experiencing an unexpected wake-up call from hibernation. It is needed to blow away confetti after the carnival parade. The controller may be pleased to be able to amortize a “fabulously expensive” machine in half the time. The neighbors are probably less enthusiastic about this.

quick & dirty
Twice as good - 2 books in a set: over 200 recipes and reports from South Tyrol to Sicily © EMF/Klara&Ida
Book tip of the week: 200 x Italy

“200 x Italy – The XXL Cooking and Baking School” is a real feast for all lovers of Italian cuisine. This set of two comprehensive cookery and baking books takes us on a culinary journey across Italy – from the Alps to Sicily. With over 200 authentic recipes and numerous background stories, it invites you to experience the diversity and tradition of Italian cuisine directly in your own kitchen.

We are particularly impressed by the range of recipes, which really doesn’t leave any area out. From classic antipasti to hearty main courses such as risotto alla milanese or arancini to sweet temptations such as torta della nonna and amaretti, there is something for every taste. The clear instructions make cooking easy even for beginners, while experienced amateur cooks will be inspired by the variety of dishes to try something new.

The lovingly designed reports, anecdotes and atmospheric photographs are a highlight of the book. They manage to perfectly capture the charm and joie de vivre of Italy and convey a feeling of dolce vita that goes beyond the mere preparation of the recipes. The stories about traditional festivals and regional specialties make the book more than just a collection of recipes – it is a declaration of love to Italian cuisine and culture.

Info:
Edition Michael Fischer / EMF Verlag
ISBN 978-3-7459-2288-2
640 pages