Book excerpt: Leiths Techniques Bible is the ultimate cooking reference book. Here you will find all the information taught during the year-long diploma course at Leiths School of Food and Wine. Learn how to prepare meat and fish, make perfect pastry and bread, as well as equip a kitchen. Understand what makes recipes work and what has happened when they haven't. With answers to every cooking question from how to make perfect mashed potatoes to making a spun sugar cage, this is an indispensable book for everyone from the novice cook to the experienced chef.