So much more than just recipes, this book is infused with colourful anecdotes about Italian life and culture that add a rich flavour to each of the dishes. How wonderful to understand the ritual of mushroom hunting before preparing (and devouring) the simple and elegant flavours of Polenta with Mixed Wild Mushrooms and shavings of Parmesan.

Season by season, you'll find Gennaro's book covers the best aspects of Italian fair; feast food (afterall, this is a country where so many occasions are celebrated around the table) happily sits alongside rustic regional dishes that are perfect family food. So whether you want to tuck into Capon with a Chestnut, Herb and Pancetta Stuffing or a good home-made pizza (with all the tips you need to master the perfect dough) you won't be disappointed.

And for those of you who are partial to sensory pleasures, Gennaro's Italian Year makes a visual feast. A pleasant afternoon could easily be spent leafing through the smooth, matt images of ingredients, dishes and family life.

To win one of ten copies of Gennaro's Italian Year, click here.