I spend my working day immersed in food, and much of my leisure time, too, and I know I’m guilty of always searching for something new, hunting for the next big thing. It took a conversation with a friend this week to bring back to me that that’s not how most people roll. As a busy mum she has no truck with innovative twists and faddy ingredients; she needs no-fuss, quick family meals that the kids will eat and that’s what Kiwi mum-of-two Vanya is known for. In this – her third book – she’s on trend with comfort food, and a very traditional Kiwi take on winter comfort it is with soups, hearty pies, slow-cooked stews, puddings and baking. Vanya’s reputation is built on simple, never-fail recipes, and while the hard-to-please food-media types (yes, cringingly I’m talking about me) might roll their eyes at recipes for spaghetti bolognese, banana bread, tomato soup and bacon and egg pie, if it tastes good then it’s a winner. When my husband brought salmon fillets in a lemon cream sauce to the table you didn’t hear any complaints from me. It’s another one to set aside for a few months (I’m writing this on a 27°C day when a huge dish of chicken pot pie with dumplings doesn’t tick the boxes) but when winter does roll around and familiar comfort and a full tummy are called for, then Vanya will be there for you. TRACY WHITMEY