I’m pinching myself! I have been a fan of UK-born Rachel Grisewood’s chocolate crunch – the genesis of her business –  for as long as I have been going to farmers’ markets where Manna From Heaven (www.mannafromheaven.com.au) has a stand. I’m sure I am one of many who pretend each time they don’t know how good it is and take a generous offer of a ‘sample’.

This is just one of dozens of recipes in a book that is beautiful enough for the coffee table – but my guess is it will remain permanently in the kitchen.

Grisewood is founder and master baker of the aptly-named bakery and fine food purveyor, Manna From Heaven. This special book reflects Rachel’s vivid, colour-laden life and persona.

It’s bright, beautiful, unconventional, (think, chocolate tarts with lavender caramel) but best of all, just like those samples, amazingly generous, She not only invites us plunder her recipe notebooks but gives us tips on how to make each morsel. Manna from heaven, indeed.

Congratulations to Rachel Grisewood!  Manna From Heaven has been announced as the Australian winner of the 'Best Innovative Food Book' category in the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. The winners in each country now compete in their category for 'The Best in the World', to be announced on 11 February 2010 at theatre Le 104, at the Paris Cookbook Fair.