ILKLEY'S Michelin star restaurant The Box Tree and Otley's Buon Apps feature in the recently published book - The Leeds and West Yorkshire Cook Book - which brings together the very best of the regions burgeoning food and drink scene.

The book - the 19th in the series of regional ‘Get Stuck In’ guides by Meze Publishing - strives to capture and promote the region’s vibrant, diverse approach to catering, with each chapter focusing on creative yet traditional, unique food, and the stories behind each foodie business.

With the region being home to celebrity chef Marco Pierre White and iconic Ilkley restaurant The Box Tree, who have retained a Michelin star and three AA rosettes, the region is renowned for its high calibre and diverse approach to culinary specialties. Executive chef and directors of The Box Tree, Simon and Rena Gueller have written the book's foreword, expressing pride and passion for the northern foodie hub: “We are so lucky in Yorkshire, being such a huge county there’s so much to go at for food lovers, the variety of cuisines on offer is staggering! Whilst there are a lot of chain restaurants in the area, we feel it’s really important to keep supporting the local independent restaurants, that’s where we find

some of the best food and a more personal service.

“Where possible we try to source locally and seasonally grown food which isn’t too hard as we have some of the UK’s best food producers right on our doorstep.”

Simon and Rena also offer their recipe of hand-dived scallops accompanied by butternut squash, parmesan and Pedro Ximenez jelly. Creating step-by-step instructions, this dish can be made simply in your own home.

The book features entries from an extensive range of cafes, cocktail bars and restaurants, with dishes touching all corners of the world; from Italian inspired recipes, to Brazilian and British culinary delights, this book definitely has something for everyone.

Buon Apps of Otley, who have been providing the town with an authentic taste of Italy since 2003 have contributed three recipes for readers to try at home - Porchetta alla Toscana, Cacciucco alla livornese and Budino di panettone.

Other businesses featured include Otley's Bondgate Bakery and Rawdon's Brown's Greens who have shared a recipe for their flapjack bites.

The Leeds and West Yorkshire Cook Book retails at £14.95 and is available in all of the businesses featured in the book and online at www.amazon.co.uk or www.mezepublishing.co.uk