Kerridge's Fresh Start begins in December

Bloomsbury imprint Absolute Press is to publish an "inspring new approach to home cooking" by Tom Kerridge in December to tie in with a new BBC Two television series.

Following the success of Kerridge’s last book, Lose Weight for Good – which has sold over 390,000 copies since publication, according to the publisher – the Michelin-starred chef is back, this time inviting families who rely heavily on convenience food to press the restart button.

Tom Kerridge’s Fresh Start is the first title in a new two-book deal with Kerridge, chef-patron of the two Michelin-starred pub The Hand & Flowers in Marlow.

Publisher Jon Croft acquired world rights in a deal with Borra Garson at Deborah McKenna Limited. Bloomsbury will be supporting publication with a "major" marketing and publicity campaign for the book.

Kerridge is the author of five cookbooks selling over one million copies combined so far, said the publisher. Lose Weight for Good, which was published in December 2017, reached the overall number one position in the Nielsen Bookscan charts for four weeks earlier this year and is the biggest-selling January hardback number one since records began, said the publisher.

In Fresh Start, Kerridge turns his attention to our everyday household meals, and tackles our reliance upon convenience food, showing readers how to cook delicious meals from basic ingredients, applying his "tricks of the trade to the home kitchen".

Kerridge said: “I used to eat convenience food myself, then I made a decision to change the way I ate for the sake of my weight and health. Ready meals and takeaways are simple and quick but living off processed food comes at a cost.”

Since changing his own eating habits Kerridge has lost 12 stone and become a father. “Finding the time to eat proper, homemade food together as a family is one of life’s biggest pleasures. I want to help people to discover this for themselves and reap the rewards. The aim of my new book, Fresh Start, is to build confidence around cooking in everyone who has forgotten how to cook, never tried – or has just fallen into the busy life trap. I will provide you with plenty of recipes and ideas to take control of your kitchen and of what you eat – and to kick start a newfound love of home-made food.”

"With 100 fantastic recipes that the whole household can enjoy, the book will include healthier, home-made versions of popular fast food and ready meals which will taste better than the originals; mid-week suppers that take no time to rustle up; batch cooking to last you through the week; and proper feasts for the weekend. What’s guaranteed is that all the food will taste amazing," said the publisher.

Tom Kerridge’s Fresh Start will be published on 26th December 2018 to tie in with the primetime BBC Two television series of the same name, airing in early 2019.