Our resident foodie shares four books that epitomise popular food trends of the past twelve months.

I Quit Sugar for Life: 148 Recipes + Meal Plans for Families and Solos by Sarah Wilson

It now seems that there are many people who want to be free of pesky sugar for the rest of their lives. In I Quit Sugar for Life, Sarah Wilson has designed a program complete with 148 sugar-free recipes, to show families and individuals how to banish sweet craving. Wilson explains how to maximise nutrition by eating more vegetables and good fats, how to exercise less for better results, how to detox safely, how to make sustainable food choices and, importantly, how to deal with lapses.

Matt’s Kitchen Garden Cookbook by Matt Moran

For many of us, 2014 was all about growing our own food and sharing the joys with our nearest and dearest. Inspired by the market garden at his Sydney restaurant Chiswick, as well as time spent visiting producers all around Australia for his TV series Paddock to Plate, Matt Moran has created a mouth-watering selection of recipes. The acclaimed chef’s trademark deft touch and winning flavour combinations are all here – everything from seared kingfish with radish and wasabi, to apricot and rosemary tarts.

Backyard Bees: A Guide for the Beginner Beekeeper by Doug Purdie

2014 showed how just about anyone can keep bees. All you need is a bit of space in your backyard (or on your rooftop) and a dash of love for these busy. Then, once introduced to the charms of beekeeping and the taste of warm honeycomb direct from the hive, I have no doubt you’ll be hooked. Doug Purdie’s Backyard Bees is the ultimate guide to installing and maintaining a hive through the seasons. Learn how easy it is to keep happy, healthy bees that will pollinate the veggie patches of your neighbourhood.

North: The New Nordic Cuisine of Iceland by Jody Eddy and Gunnar Karl Gíslason

You’ve watched the television series and you’ve read the books, and now you can eat the food of Scandinavia as well while you continue to do so. Equal parts recipe book and culinary odyssey, North is a celebration of the starkly beautiful foods and landscapes of Iceland. Minnesota-born food adventurer Jody Eddy travelled throughout this utterly unique country with Chef Gunnar Karl Gíslason to get the stories and recipes of Iceland’s changing culinary tradition.

Chris Gordon