Nigella Lawson Popular Books
Nigella Lawson Biography & Facts
Nigella Lucy Lawson (born 6 January 1960) is an English food writer and television cook. After graduating from Oxford, Lawson worked as a book reviewer and restaurant critic, later becoming the deputy literary editor of The Sunday Times in 1986. She then wrote for a number of newspapers and magazines as a freelance journalist. In 1998, her first cookery book, How to Eat, was published and sold 300,000 copies, becoming a best-seller. Her second book, How to Be a Domestic Goddess, was published in 2000, winning the British Book Award for Author of the Year. In 1999, Lawson hosted her own cooking show series, Nigella Bites, on Channel 4, accompanied by another best-selling cookbook. Nigella Bites won Lawson a Guild of Food Writers Award. Her 2005 ITV daytime chat show Nigella met with a negative critical reaction and was cancelled after attracting low ratings. She hosted the Food Network's Nigella Feasts in the United States in 2006, followed by a three-part BBC Two series, Nigella's Christmas Kitchen, in the UK, which led to the commissioning of Nigella Express on BBC Two in 2007. Her own cookware range, Living Kitchen, has a value of £7 million, and she has sold more than 8 million cookery books worldwide to date. Early life Nigella Lawson was born in 1960 in Wandsworth, London, one of the daughters of Nigel Lawson, Baron Lawson of Blaby (1932–2023), a business and finance journalist who later became a Conservative MP and Chancellor of the Exchequer in Margaret Thatcher's government, and his first wife, Vanessa Salmon (1936–1985), a socialite and the heiress to the J. Lyons and Co. fortune. Both her parents were from Jewish families. Her given name was originally suggested by her grandmother. Her family owned homes in Kensington and Chelsea. Nigel and Vanessa Lawson divorced in 1980, when Nigella was 20. They both remarried: her father that year to a House of Commons researcher, Therese Maclear (to whom he was married until 2008), and her mother, in the early 1980s, to philosopher A. J. Ayer (they remained married until her mother's death). As her father was at the time a prominent political figure, Nigella found some of the judgements and preconceptions that were formed about her frustrating. She has attributed her unhappiness as a child, in part, to the problematic relationship she had with her mother. Lawson's mother died of liver cancer in Westminster, London at the age of 48. Lawson's full-blood siblings are her brother, Dominic, former editor of The Sunday Telegraph, sister Horatia, and sister Thomasina, who died of breast cancer, in her early thirties, in 1993. She has a half-brother, Tom, who is currently headmaster at Eastbourne College, and a half-sister, Emily; Tom and Emily are her father's children by his second wife. Lawson is a cousin to both George Monbiot and Fiona Shackleton through the Salmon family. Ancestry Taking part in the third series of the BBC family-history documentary series Who Do You Think You Are?, Lawson sought to uncover some of her family's ancestry. She traced her ancestors to Ashkenazi Jews who originate from eastern Europe and Germany, leaving Lawson surprised not to have Sephardi ancestry, as she had believed. She also uncovered that her maternal great-great-great-grandfather, Coenraad Sammes (later Coleman Joseph), had fled to England from Amsterdam in 1830 to escape a prison sentence following a conviction for theft. His daughter Hannah married Samuel Gluckstein, who was in business with Barnett Salmon of Salmon & Gluckstein. They had several children, including Isidore and Montague Gluckstein, who together with Salmon founded J. Lyons and Co. in 1887, and Helena, who married him. One of the children of Helena and Barnett Salmon was Alfred Salmon (1868–1928), the great-grandfather of Nigella Lawson. Education Lawson spent some of her childhood in the Welsh village of Higher Kinnerton. She had to move schools nine times between the ages of 9 and 18, and consequently she described her school years as difficult. "I was just difficult, disruptive, good at school work, but rude, I suspect, and too highly-strung", Lawson reflected. She was educated at several independent schools, among them Ibstock Place School, Queen's Gate School and Godolphin and Latymer School. She worked for many department stores in London, and went on to graduate from Lady Margaret Hall at the University of Oxford with a second-class degree in medieval and modern languages. She lived in Florence, Italy, for a time. Career Early work Lawson originally worked in publishing, first taking a job under publisher Naim Attallah. At 23, she began her career in journalism after Charles Moore had invited her to write for The Spectator – her father had previously been editor at the same publication, and her older brother soon would take up the same role. Her initial work at the magazine consisted of writing book reviews, after which she became a restaurant critic there in 1985. She became the deputy literary editor of The Sunday Times in 1986 aged 26. She attracted publicity in 1989 when she admitted voting for Labour in an election, not her father's Conservative Party, and then criticised Margaret Thatcher in print. Regarding her political relationship with her father, Lawson has stated, "My father would never expect me to agree with him about anything in particular and, to be honest, we never talk about politics much." After The Sunday Times, she embarked upon a freelance writing career, realising that "I was on the wrong ladder. I didn't want to be an executive, being paid to worry rather than think". In the United Kingdom, she wrote for The Daily Telegraph, the Evening Standard, The Observer and The Times Literary Supplement, and penned a food column for Vogue and a make-up column for The Times Magazine, as well as working with Gourmet and Bon Appétit in the United States. In 1995 Lawson left a two-week stint at Talk Radio early after making a statement that her shopping was done for her, apparently due to its incompatibility with the radio station's desired "common touch". In the mid-1990s she occasionally hosted TV press-reviews slot What the Papers Say, and was co-host, with David Aaronovitch, of Channel 4 literary-discussion series Booked. In 1998 she repeatedly guested on Channel 4 cookery series Nigel Slater's Real-Food Show. 1998–2002: First cookery books and Nigella Bites Lawson had an established sense of cooking from her childhood, having had a mother who enjoyed cooking. She conceived the idea of writing a cookbook after she observed a dinner party host in tears because of an unset crème caramel. How to Eat (1998), featuring culinary tips on preparation and saving time, sold 300,000 copies in the UK. The Sunday Telegraph dubbed it "the most valuable culinary guide published this decade". Its successor, How to be a Domestic Goddess (2000), focuses primarily on baking. The Times wrote of the book that it "is defined by its intimate, companionab.... Discover the Nigella Lawson popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Nigella Lawson books.
Best Seller Nigella Lawson Books of 2024
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Cook and Share
Mary BerryMary's favourite fussfree recipes...In this brand new tiein to her new BBC series, Mary Berry shares over 100 of her favourite dishes to share with the ones we love. Home cooking h...
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One Pan Perfect
Donna HayDonna Hay returns with her new, gorgeously luxe hardcover cookbook One Pan Perfect to make life simple, easy and delicious for her millions of fans.Donna loves to make it easy for ...
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Patisserie Made Simple
Edd KimberMost of us have been wowed by the delights of French patisserie. Now Edd Kimber shows you how to recreate these recipes at home! With stepbystep photographs for basic pastry and ic...
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As the Romans Do
Eleonora GalassoRome is steeped in history and tradition, and this is reflected in the sheer vibrancy and variety of its food. In As the Romans Do, Instagram star and Roman native Eleonora Galasso...
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French Country Cooking
Elizabeth DavidFrench Country Cooking first published in 1951 is filled with Elizabeth David's authentic recipes drawn from across the regions of France.'Her books are stunningly well written ....
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The Joy of Small Things
Hannah Jane Parkinson'This book is a notsosmall joy in itself.'NIGELLA LAWSON'Parkinson has the gift of making you look with new eyes at everyday things. The perfect daily diversion.'JOJO MOYES'Always ...
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The Fast Five
Donna HayDonna Hay, Australia's most trusted and bestselling cookbook author, returns with a book that you'll want to cook and eat from time and time again the ultimate bible of fast, deli...
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Family Favourites
The Sorted Crew & Ben EbbrellFamily Favourites is the eighth chapter from The Sorted Crew's new cookbook, Food with Friends.We've added our own little Sorted twist to a whole bunch of dinners that everyone kno...
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Summer Cooking
Elizabeth DavidSummer Cooking first published in 1955 is Elizabeth David's wonderful selection of dishes, for table, buffet and picnic, that are light, easy to prepare and based on seasonal ing...
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The Little Swedish Kitchen
Rachel Khoo'A joy to behold' Yotam OttolenghiLearn how to cook the Swedish way with this beautiful book of over 100 delicious recipes. Spring picnics on the archipelago; barbecues at the summ...
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Declutter
Debora Robertson'I need this book.' Nigella Lawson 'A chummy guide to clearing your home and head.' Jack Monroe Bursting with practical and relatable advice, this book injects enthusiasm, ener...
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A Table for Friends
Skye McAlpine'This is a beautiful cookbook, full of joyous, lifeenriching recipes. I love it.' Nigel Slater 'Its collection of foolproof, elegant recipes calls to mind Nigella Laws...
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Food to Show Off
The Sorted Crew & Ben EbbrellFood to Show Off is the fourth chapter from The Sorted Crew's new cookbook, Food with Friends.If you've been bragging about your killer cooking skills for years, this chapter will ...
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Simply
Sabrina GhayourTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'I have been looking forward to Sabrina Ghayour's new book, Simply, ever since I knew she was writing it... Every page is an invitation to cook.' Nigel...
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Curry Nights In
The Sorted Crew & Ben EbbrellCurry Night In is the ninth and final chapter from The Sorted Crew's new cookbook, Food with Friends.Get 'curried away' with this chapter devoted to the nation's favourite takeaway...
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Classic
Mary Berry“These are my wonderful brandnew recipes timeless classics, simple British dishes and delicious, modern favourites to tempt family and friends. With my trusted tips and techniques...
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Even More Basics to Brilliance
Donna HayDonna Hay, Australia's most trusted and bestselling cookbook author, returns with a follow up to her muchloved bestselling classic, Basics to Brilliance.When Donna Hay first launch...
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Around the World in Salads
Katie Caldesi & Giancarlo Caldesi'[One of the top] three best plantbased cookbooks.' You Magazine 'There's a globe full of ingredients to explore and discover.' Food & Travel magazine Salads are fresh, healthy...
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Easy-Going Dinners
The Sorted Crew & Ben EbbrellEasyGoing Dinners is the seventh chapter from The Sorted Crew's new cookbook, Food with Friends.While there's no magic solution for finding more hours in the day, that's no excuse ...
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Busy Being Free
Emma Forrest'Beautiful' Nigella Lawson'I adored it' Dolly Alderton'Wonderful' Lisa Taddeo'Intoxicating' Abi MorganWhat happens when your story doesn't end the way you thought it would?When you...
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Fast Food Snacks
The Sorted Crew & Ben EbbrellFast Food Snacks is the fifth chapter from The Sorted Crew's new cookbook, Food with Friends.The next time your friends show up on your doorstep without warning, don't simply reach...
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Mary Berry Cooks
Mary BerryTHE NUMBER 1 BESTSELLER!In this brandnew official tiein to Mary’s muchanticipated BBC2 series, the nation's bestloved home cook invites you into her kitchen to share the secrets of...
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The Hummingbird Bakery Life is Sweet
Tarek MaloufThe brilliant new book from Britain’s favourite bakery – packed with recipes for extraspecial treats and surprises.Delving into the wonderful world of American homebaking, this is ...
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Simply Delicious the Classic Collection
Darina Allen'Ireland's answer to Delia and Nigella' Sunday Telegraph Stella magazine'Our first lady of food' Irish Independent'There's not much this gourmet grande dame doesn't know' Nigel Sl...
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Exciting Food for Southern Types
Pellegrino ArtusiPellegrino Artusi is the original icon of Italian cookery, whose legendary 1891 book Science in the Kitchen and the Art of Eating Well defined its national cuisine and is still a b...
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More Plants Less Waste
Max La MannaDELICIOUS PLANTBASED RECIPES TO WASTE LESS FOOD!Max La Manna, low waste chef and climate activist, bridges the gap between vegan food and wastefree cooking inviting us to channel ...
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Gordon Ramsay Bread Street Kitchen
Gordon Ramsay'If you think you can't eat as well at home as you do in a restaurant think again. I'm going to show you how to cook stunning recipes from Bread Street Kitchen at home.' GORDON RA...
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The Weekend Baker
Paul HollywoodDiscover delicious and simple bakes inspired by Paul Hollywood's journey around the world, from one of the nation's favourite bakers and Great British Bake Off judgeContaining a va...
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Real Fast Food
Nigel SlaterLove food but hate spending hours in the kitchen? This book is the answer, with over 350 delicious recipes ready in less than 30 minutes'Easily my first choice for a simple, good, ...
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The Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook
Tarek MaloufThe number one bestseller (more than 830,000 copies sold) now updated with new recipes.From their first shop in Notting Hill's Portobello Road, The Hummingbird Bakery introduced Lo...
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SIMPLE
Diana HenryNoone is better than Diana Henry at turning the everyday into something special. Here is a superb collection of recipes that you can rustle up with absolutely no fuss, but which ...
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Fast Cakes
Mary BerryFast Cakes is an unmissable, definitive new baking book from Mary Berry. Proper cakes that take 10 minutes or less to make and under an hour to bake. If you miss Mary's wisdom and ...
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Venice
Russell NormanA beautifully designed cookbook with easy, seasonal Italian recipes perfect for any foodie!Russell Norman returns to Venice the city that inspired POLPO to immerse himself in th...
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The Diva Delivers on a Promise
Krista DavisThe latest in the New York Times bestselling author’s enormously popular culinary cozy series featuring a young Martha Stewart in the making, the maven of entertaining an...
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Mary Berry at Home
Lucy Young & Mary BerryThis is Mary Berry's collection of her favourite dishes that she cooks everyday for her family and friends. Mary and her close friend and assistant, Lucy Young, provide over 150 si...