Igni: A restaurant's first year

Description

"a stunning work of art, and the most beautiful cookbook I've seen in years." - Savuer From the first six months, through a mid-year break of camping and cooking in the bush, to the harsh winter months and on to the end of its first year, this book tells the story of IGNI, a high-end degustation restaurant in a Geelong backstreet. Documenting a warts-and-all account of what it takes to open and run a new restaurant, chef and owner Aaron Turner reveals the daily challenges he faced, from the financial strains, the stress, fear and tantrums, to personal crises and the pressure of success and failure. His story is told through dated 'diary' entries of the author's own reflections, the development of recipes, a gradually unfolding narrative through each chapter, and stunning photography from award-winning photographer Julian Kingma that captures the food, moments and brilliance of a determined young chef in a new restaurant.

Growing up by the coast in Portland, Victoria, Aaron Turner studied graphic design before travelling and working overseas. In 2009 he opened his first restaurant, Loam, in Drysdale, which went on to win numerous awards including Regional Restaurant of the Year in The Age Good Food Guide 2012 and Regional Restaurant of the Year in Gourmet Traveller. Since closing Loam in 2013 Aaron has worked and consulted in Nashville and opened The Hot Chicken Project and IGNI in Geelong. In its first year of business IGNI has won Gourmet Traveller's Restaurant of the Year and has been awarded two hats by The Age Good Food Guide 2016, as well as winning the guide's awards for both Regional Restaurant of the Year and Chef of the Year.

"a stunning work of art, and the most beautiful cookbook I've seen in years." - Savuer "It's filled with the angst and drama of the opening of Turner's critically acclaimed restaurant, Igni, in Geelong. It's raw and real, and Julian Kingma's moody photographs only add depth to the drama." - Barbara Sweeney, Country Style