Yellow Kite snaffles Donal Skehan's no-oven cookery book

Yellow Kite has acquired a new non-oven cookery book, Real Time Recipes, from award-winning Irish food writer, cook and TV personality Donal Skehan. 

Nicky Ross, editorial director at the Hodder imprint, bought world rights in a deal with Rosemary Scoular from United Agents. The book will be published in October 2025 to tie in with an RTÉ TV series of the same name. Mobius will publish the book in the US in autumn 2025. 

Yellow Kite said: “With no ovens (goodbye pre-heating) and no wait times, all 90 recipes in the book can be made in 30 minutes or less and use fewer than 10 ingredients, offering straight through cooking. Think crispy air-fryer chicken with buttermilk ranch dressing and wedge salad; spicy prawn tacos; air-fryer salmon with potatoes and dill yoghurt; or spiced meatballs with butter tomato pasta.” 

The publisher added: “Skehan is one of Ireland’s most popular food exports, with over 30 television series across the globe, and [he] has authored 11 bestselling cookery titles.” He is also a regular host on cookery shows and has his own YouTube channel with over one million subscribers. His production company Appetite Media also produces hit television shows distributed worldwide by Fremantle. 

Ross said: “Real Time Recipes is all about getting supper on the table fast. We know people want to eat home-made meals, to avoid feeding their families ultra-processed food and to save money, so Donal’s new book is a winner.” 

Skehan commented: “Real Time Recipes has been a brilliant challenge. I’ve stripped back my cooking to the basics, using the hob, the air-fryer and the microwave for speed, but never compromising on the flavours. With quick sauces you can pull together while the pasta boils, chargrilled chicken on the griddle while making a fresh chopped salad; crispy air-fryer potatoes and speedy microwave greens. You can have a delicious home-cooked meal on the table that the whole family will love in less than 30 minutes."