l was thrilled when illustrator, Emma Dibben kindly accepted my invitation to be a part of Looking Glass! I’ve been an avid collector of her food illustrations since being introduced to her work via the magazine publication – Waitrose Food Illustrated.

l find Emma’s “sketch” style of illustration celebrates the seasonal offerings in a warm and welcoming manner, tempting the reader to visit their local market, and purchase fresh produce.

The rendering of additional ink/paint spatterings that accompany the main illustrations, in particular lend themselves to the idea of a much-used cookbook, which l feel adds to the charm of Emma’s work.

A splash of colour, the tonal hues of a fruit or vegetable, and the attention to detail to capture the contours of a herb or leaf, makes these illustrations a mouth-watering experience – bringing them vividly to life!

As a person who enjoys cooking with fresh ingredients, Emma’s drawings, simply inspire me to try my hand at new recipes and techniques. Although, l have to confess, l do indeed have a soft spot for the classical dish – rhubarb crumble with a dash of vanilla sauce.

Spring has joyously arrived, and so on this note, l warmly invite you to taste the culinary delights of April!