Our introduction to Refried Books was at a recent foody event held in the beautiful grounds of West Dean College, W Sussex, when we came across a stand selling a wide range of second hand cookery books.
We asked proprietor Rita Godfrey to tell us how Refried Books came about:
“I love books especially cooking and gardening books and from that Refried Books (as in refried beans) came to life.
Over the years I have amassed a collection of fabulous books and with not much space have had to let them go but I recently took the step of extending my passion to include selling used, vintage and antiquarian books on food and food production. Well actually it’s about old books, about food, wine, cooking, housekeeping, growing and everything to do with producing food, oh and flowers.
As long as people have travelled and enjoyed food they have had the urge to write about it and travel food books are some of the most interesting. Today the selection of books available reflecting some of the wonderful food tried and enjoyed while travelling is in the thousands.
Some of my favourites: Kitchen Ranging, Pearl Adams, 1928 – a great book with 775 recipes ‘from all countries’ I have used this book again and again; A Book of Mediterranean Cooking, Elizabeth David , 1950 (and republished in many formats over the years) – a classic; Banquets of the Nations compiled by R H Christie, 1911- menus from 80 dinners characteristic and typical of their own country; Tropical Cookery, Marie L Pickering, 1956 – written for ex-pats (especially soldiers) who would be living abroad based on the types of food available in the tropics.”
For a full list and prices of current books in stock visit www.refriedbooks.co.uk or go to Abe Books http://www.abebooks.co.uk/refried-books-arundel/57817344/sf