Who’s the author? Chris Bavin is the down-to-earth former greengrocer and much-loved British TV presenter on BBC’s Eat Well for Less and – alongside Mary Berry – Britain’s Best Home Cook, and author of Good Food, Sorted. This new and updated edition of The Takeaway Secretoffers a wide selection of popular recipes included in the hugely successful original title, as well as over twenty brand new recipes and new handy hints to ensure the reader’s home-made dishes look and taste exactly like those offered by their favourite fast-food restaurant or takeaway. Chris Bavin is a genius at making sure recipes are easy to follow, with accessible ingredients that you can get at your local shop, along with plenty of extra info to get you clued up on how to nourish you and your family better without spending a fortune. Chris’ Better For You dishes are also simple to fit into a weight-loss programme, like Slimming World or Weight Watchers, making this a great family cookbook if you’re trying to lose a few pounds. Before service, Angela’s mum and dad would make the family dinner. They would have food like steamed Jasmine rice and lap cheong (Chinese sausage), and lap yuk (Chinese cured pork belly).

Angela recalls a group of teenagers causing chaos in the takeaway: lying on the bench, rummaging through the glass bowl of sweets for customers and “throwing chocolate bars at each other.” Then, they shovel their food in, letting mountains of rice and splotches of curry sauce fall to the floor. “When the boys finally leave, we let out a collective sigh of relief,” she says. “The counter and waiting room are in a state.” There is racist abuse to contend with too.

With this definitive collection of takeaway recipes, you’ll be able to sample American Fast Food, Kebab Shop cuisine, exotic Chinese and Indian flavours, and tasty Pizza and Chip Shop recipes, all from the comfort of your own home – and at half the price!