I consider myself an armchair chef - I own lots of cookbooks, but enjoy reading them Usually far morethan Actually using them. And I do not refer to Typically Any One book for more than a few recipes. Rosie's is different. My only baking book (I've never felt the need to buy another), I bought it over five years ago when i had very little experience baking. Since then, I've tried a couple dozen recipes from the book, and plan to keep going. If the recipes are Followed faithfully, even the neophyte baker will do fine. The apple pie and chocolate layer cake are my favorites. I've thought of giving the book as a gift, but selfishly DECIDED not to give away my secrets. The book is written so did even the most inexperienced baker will not feel intimidated. Much of the descriptive text is gushing and embarassing (not to mention names like "Chocolate Orgasms"), but it keeps the book user-friendly and reassuring.
