Chuck Hughes is the star of Food Network Canada''s and The Cooking Channel''s (US) "Chuck''s Day Off", a show featuring the charismatic chef cooking for friends and family on his day off at his Montreal restaurant, Garde-Manger. Fabulously energetic, fun and a skilled chef, Chuck definitely has star quality and "splash factor". His star is on the rise in the US, with his show airing there on the Cooking Channel, and his impressive win last spring on Iron Chef, beating none other than Bobby Flay. Chuck was also one of the competitors on the US Food Network''s Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs and last holiday season his first Christmas special aired, "Chuckmas."

The cookbook features recipes from his restaurant and his show, and they are down-to-earth but festive, yet never fussy. What''s wonderful about the book is the energy the design brings-it matches Chuck''s own style and approach to cooking and to life. One can only assume this is the first of many cookbooks from Chuck Hughes.