Book excerpt: Chutneys, pickles and relishes are important forms of preserved food that can bring life and richness to any meal, be it a simple lunch or an exotic dinner. Commercially, they form a multi-million pound industry and ever-imaginative new examples appear on the supermarket shelves with great regularity. Moreover, pickles, chutneys and relishes are often a favourite with shoppers at farmer's markets and country fairs. Notwithstanding this, there is absolutely no reason why, with very little effort, and often the most basic of locally sourced ingredients, you should not make your own.The superb chutneys, pickles and relishes presented in this book have resulted from the authors' extensive research that has brought them into contact with modern-day restaurant chefs and prize-winning traditionalists. If you enjoy fresh, tangy flavours, then this book will provide you with all the help and inspiration you need to enter the world of successful chutney making and pickling. As for relishes, once you, your family and friends have experienced some of what is on offer on these pages, it is possible that you will never be content to settle for the shop-bought versions again.An inspirational guide to making traditional and modern chutneys, pickles and relishes using time-honoured recipes and also twenty-first century variations.The authors spent time researching, photographing and meeting with both modern day restaurant chefs and prize-winning traditionalists.By experiencing some of these tempting recipes, it is unlikely the reader will settle for shop-bought bottles again.Beautifully illustrated with 60 colour photographs.Jeremy Hobson is a prolific freelance writer on all matters 'rural' and author of over twenty books on country life.Philip Watts' love of both cuisine and photography led him to a new career as a food photographer.