Russell has built a life and career out of his love for the north Italian city of Venice. In his latest book he returns to the city to immerse himself in the authentic flavours of the region and the culinary traditions of the city throughout the seasons.

Everything from summer picnics to warming winter soup is covered in easy Italian family recipes: from radicchio, pancetta and chickpea salad to duck rigatoni, and from Bellini sorbet to chocolate and hazelnut semifreddo. We talk about the rare and intimate glimpse into the life of the city, its hidden architectural gems, its secret places, its embedded history, the colour and bustle of daily life, and the food merchants and growers who make Venice so surprisingly vibrant.