Kew On A Plate With Raymond Blanc

Accompanying a very special 4-part BBC2 series with Kew Gardens and Raymond Blanc, this is the story of our favourite fruit and veg.

The best dish on Raymond's menu, according to Raymond, is the 'one that's in season'.

In this unique TV series and book, Raymond Blanc and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew have created a stunning Kitchen Garden at Kew to showcase the heritage and botany of our favourite plants as well as uncover their growing and cooking secrets.

We'll explore how these plants arrived in the UK, brought back by intrepid plant hunters, how they flourished and how they spread to become part of our everyday meals.

The Kew gardeners offer their tips and expertise in growing this produce, from carrots to potatoes, rhubarb and gooseberries, apples and peas.

And interwoven with these stories will be Raymond's Blanc's detailed tasting notes and 40 mouth-watering recipes. Raymond's unparalleled expertise is drawn from three decades of experience in his own restaurant kitchen garden. He brings with him a lifetime's passion about fruit and veg, knowing exactly which apple is the perfect variety for his Tarte Tartin and which potato makes the perfect Sunday roast.

With a wealth of stunning historical illustrations, woodcuts and images as well as beautiful recipe photography, this will be a book to treasure for life.

About the Author

Kew Gardens is renowned for its historic gardens, glasshouses and specimen collections, but it has been a world-leading expert in science and conservation for 250 years with a library of botanical art, illustrations, manuscripts and photographs to match.

Raymond Blanc was born in Besancon and came to Britain in 1972 to work as a waiter. Entirely self taught, he opened his first restaurant, Les Quat'Saisons in 1977. An immediate success, it became Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in 1984 and is the only country house hotel to hold 2 Michelin Stars. Raymond has since opened a Cookery School there. Raymond is also a successful author and has presented BBC series including Kitchen Secrets, The Restaurant and The Very Hungry Frenchman. Raymond was awarded an OBE in 2007.