The London restaurant chain Canteen is, as the name suggests, not a pretentious institution. It likes its food traditional and tasty. Bangers and mash, for instance. This is everyday British grub, but because they do it so damn well, it’s also exceptional cuisine. Which makes us want to cheer. We love basics done beautifully.
Now the chaps at Canteen have come up with a cookbook, their first, and what a beauty it is too. The design manages to be ultra contemporary and nostalgic. The cover resembles a 40s rationing book – but look at the font. It’s a classic modernist sans serif. The photography inside is rich and stunning and not the least bit old fashioned.
The book contains all kinds of affordable honest recipes: things like pork chops, lots of different pies, blackcurrant jelly and an all day breakfast. That’s not to say there’s nothing subtle, sophisticated or surprising. There is – like beetroot with horseradish, or brandy syllabub – but it manages to be unpretentious. Find out more here.
Here at Sunspel, we’ve recently made a special line of polo shirts for the Canteen staff, so we’re delighted to play a part in such a classic yet contemporary British institution.