In the 30 years since David Wood first published his classic David Wood Food Book, he has continued to cement his reputation as one of Canada's great culinary artisans. Former owner of the prestigious David Wood Food Shop in Toronto, David has spent over two decades on the West Coast cultivating acclaim for his cheese-making (as owner of the Salt Spring Island Cheese Company), as well as for his unique understanding of the elemental role food plays in daily life. David Wood Cooking for Friends is written with the idea in mind that it's not what you eat but how you make it that matters. A traditionalist at heart, David grew up in postwar Scotland respecting food as basic sustenance and not much else. Now a cook of wide-ranging skill with a familiarity of many complex cooking methods and tastes, David continues to be influenced by the pragmatism of his early years, but with greater ambition and a refined palette. Fantastic recipes like Pesto-Stuffed Chicken Breasts, Risotto Milanese, and Seared Salmon with Dolce Forte Sauce are more than just great meals; they help shape the character of an occasion. Sublime desserts like Raspberry and Fig Gratin, or Poached Pears with Caramel Ginger Sauce, show how fresh, everyday ingredients can be elevated with proper care and an attention to detail.