Valentina Harris is a noted authority on Italian food and food culture. In 1984 she published her first cookbook, Perfect Pasta (Shuckburgh Reynolds), which won an award for literature and gastronomy in Germany. Many other books followed, as well as a six-part BBC television series, Italian Regional Cookery, in 1990. The book of the series, Italian Regional Cookery, became a top-ten bestseller. Since then, Valentina has written many books, including The Cooking of Tuscany (Sainsburys); and Southern Italian Cooking (Pavilion). For more information about Valentina and her books, visit www.cucinavalentina.co.uk. Martin Brigdale has specialized in food photography for over 20 years. He has photographed over 50 cookbooks, including Korean Cooking (Aquamarine), which won Best Asian Cuisine Cookbook at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2006.