David Loftus – författare

Lunigiana is a rugged, mountainous region of Tuscany, flanked by the Liguria coastline and Emilia-Romagna, whose cuisine has been shaped by its distinctive landscape and location. Author and stylist Annette Joseph purchased and renovated a stunning medieval fortress, aptly named La Fortezza ( The Fortress ), in this little-known area. Enamored by Lunigiana s rich food heritage and traditions, Joseph sought out authentic and traditional dishes from the best chefs, home cooks, and slow-food purveyors in the region. This book showcases these rustic recipes, some of which have been enjoyed for centuries. Lunigiana s cuisine brings together the flavors of both the coast and the mountains and draws inspiration from the neighboring regions. It is home to unique ingredients, such as chestnut flour, and its specialties are often still prepared the ancient way. Lunigiana is also recognized by UNESCO as a sustainable region, and Joseph s recipes highlight slow-food practices, such as sourcing seasonal ingredients from local producers. Breathtaking photographs by David Loftus highlight the beauty of Lunigiana s cuisine and countryside, as well as La Fortezza s dreamy vineyard, orchards, and kitchen garden. This book is an incredible culinary and visual journey into an undiscovered region in Italy and a must-have for anyone who loves Italian food and culture.

Lunigiana is a rugged and untamed mountainous region of Tuscany, flanked by the Liguria coastline and Emilia Romagna, whose cuisine has been shaped by its distinctive landscape and location. Author and stylist Annette Joseph realised a dream in 2016 when she and her husband purchased and renovated a stunning medieval fortress, aptly named La Fortezza (The Fortress), in this little-known area. Enamoured by its rich food heritage, medieval food history, and long-lasting traditions, Joseph sought out authentic and traditional dishes from the best chefs, home cooks, and slow food purveyors in the region. This book showcases these rustic recipes, some of which have been enjoyed for centuries. Lunigiana s cuisine brings together the flavours of both the coast and the mountains as well as drawing inspiration from the neighbouring regions. It is home to a unique selection of ingredients, such as chestnut flour, and its specialties are often still prepared the ancient way, in a cast-iron Dutch oven known as a testo over an open fire. Lunigiana is also recognized as a UNESCO-certified slow food region, and Joseph s recipes highlight slow food practices, such as using produce from your own garden, sourcing seasonal ingredients from local producers, and preserving traditional cooking methods. Breathtaking photographs by David Loftus highlight the beauty of Lunigiana s cuisine and countryside, as well as La Fortezza s dreamy vineyard, orchards, and kitchen garden, where Joseph collected, tested, and developed her recipes. This book is an incredible culinary and visual journey into an undiscovered region in Italy and a must-have for anyone who loves Italian food and culture.

A heart-rending memoir of love, loss and the unique relationship twins share.More than thirty years ago, David Loftus’s cherished identical twin, John, passed away. Ever since, a day hasn’t passed without David feeling the loss. In 1987, after recovering from a brain tumour, John contracted meningitis and found himself back in hospital for treatment. David, as always, was by his side. They were opening their twenty-fourth birthday presents when a fatally miscalculated routine injection forced John into a coma. He died within two weeks. Over the past year, David has spent an hour every day remembering John and recording his story by hand. Diary of a Lone Twin is the product of that daily ritual – a powerful and deeply personal account that covers everything from enchanting and charmingly evoked childhood vignettes to the acute loneliness and raw pain that followed John’s death.In sharing this beautifully written diary, award-winning and internationally acclaimed photographer David Loftus provides a rare insight for anyone who wishes to understand the bond between identical twins, and the unique bereavement of a lone twin that few people will ever experience.