FANCY investing in a cookery book?

Here's the Bolton Top Ten, compiled by Sweetens Books, Deansgate, Bolton.

1. The Return of the Naked Chef by Jamie Oliver (Michael Joseph £20). Jamie Oliver is a guy who believes in what he cooks. Apparently, he awoke at 4am on his wedding day to cook the bread for his wedding breakfast, and did the catering himself! Here, using easily accessible ingredients, his emphasis is on maximum flavour with minimum effort.

2. Recipes from a Greek Kitchen by Joanna Farrow (Hermes House £2.99) and ...

3. Great Tapas by Silvano Franco (Hermes House £2.99). Just returned from your summer holidays to the Med and wondered how the locals cooked that delicious evening meal you loved? These two books are full of authentic recipes, fully illustrated and guaranteed to fill your home with the delicious aromas of long, lazy days spent by the sea.

4. Barbecue Bible by Ainsley Harriott (BBC £9.99). Containing over 120 recipes from around the world, this book has all the secrets for successful entertaining in the open air. To add the final touches to a memorable outdoor feast, Ainsley has also included a range of tempting quick and easy desserts. Barbecue Bible is a foolproof guide to successful outdoor cooking -- so get sizzling!

5. How to Cook 2 by Delia Smith (BBC £16.99). This book begins with an invaluable inventory of the serious cook's larder for the 21st century, identifying the storecupboard ingredients, spices and flavourings that will transform your cooking with minimal cost. A must for any beginner or even the most established cook.

6. A Spoonful of Ginger by Nina Simonds (Absolute £19.95). A book inspired by the Asian holistic philosophy of eating foods that are good for us. Nina's recipes are for health as well as for sensory delight. The emphasis here is on what's good for you, not bad for you. Whatever your health concerns may be, you'll find the right restorative and satisfying recipes. Babies, toddlers, adolescents, pregnant and menopausal women are also catered for, too.

7. Sunshine Food by Sophie Grigson (BBC £20). Containing over 140 Mediterranean recipes, and currently a TV hit, this tome by Sophie Grigson captures the essence of holidays in the sun. It brings the very best flavours and ingredients into home kitchens. With its emphasis on fresh vegetables and fruit, oil and garlic, and seafood and grains, food from the Med is made simple to prepare, delicious and healthy.

8. Vegetables by Antonio Carluccio (Headline £25). Can you name over 40 vegetables? If not, then this may be the book for you. Antonio offers advice on buying, storing and preparation as well as the different varieties available. The definitive book on Italian vegetable cookery from Britain's undisputed master of Italian cookery.

9. Larder Lads by Louise Holland (Ebury Press £12.99). If you're a lad who loves good food but hasn't got a clue about how or what to cook, then help is at hand. Here's how to impress the new girlfriend with a sophisticated dinner, how to make brunch on the first morning together, and even how to find comfort food when you're nursing the mother of all hangovers.

10. New British Classics by Gary Rhodes (BBC £20). Gary Rhodes has long been championing British cookery. With his imaginative use of the very best ingredients and ideas, he gives us the definitive book on British cookery for the new Millennium. Destined to become a cookery classic in its own right this book is essential reading for food lovers everywhere.