British resident publishes English Minorcan cook book

A British resident in Minorca has just published “An easy little cook book from Menorca” and author Jayne Ann Swinbourne says that she decided to write the book because, “there are not any illustrated ones” and because she noticed the number of typical local dishes on the menus in Minorcan restaurants declining in favour of “chicken and chips.” The book was presented this week at the Minorcan Tourist Board, which has not ruled out having the book published in Spanish. Swinbourne, who originally arrived in Minorca as a representative for a tour firm, is now married and has two children and it was her mother-in-law who first introduced her to Minorcan cooking. Writing the book took the best part of a year and two of the island's top chefs, the brothers Borras, helped her compile the publication, which also includes articles about the island's cheese, cured meats, fish and vegetables. Swinbourne says the secret to the success of the book is its simplicity.