"A beautiful love letter to the very first processed food. Any book that contains a section on the joys of crisp sandwiches gets my vote." - Jay Rayner

"What an absolutely beautiful book... Pages of love letters to bread; everything it is, does, and how very special it is as a part of our food vocabulary. Wonderful words by Tim make this book perfect bedtime reading for any foodie but, more importantly, anyone who has ever eaten bread." - Tom Kerridge

"A book by Tim Hayward is eagerly anticipated. When the subject is his love of bread, its lore and great many uses, his sound, good sense noting the myriad ways in which bread enhances daily life makes this book a most inspiring read. He illuminates each page with his thoughts and love of food in the most endearing of voices." - Jeremy Lee

"A wonderful book and impossible to read without a smile on your face." - Rob Long

A loaf of bread means different things to different people. It's at once the centrepiece of the family table, it's the source of the demon gluten, the reassuring heft of an artisan sourdough, or the fluffy comfort of a white sandwich loaf - it's the best thing since... well, sliced bread.

This is NOT a book about how to make bread. No kneading, no rising, no baking.

Loaf Story is a food book about bread - not just the role it plays in people's lives all over the world, but how it has been adapted and used in so many dishes. It is food of poverty and yet now we routinely pay big money for an artisanal loaf. Why does it have such a hold on us? From the British and American white sliced loaf to the French baguette, Scandinavian rye, and the uber-trendy Japanese katsu sando, the cultural significance of the loaf is manifold.

With recipes for 60 dishes that can be made on bread, in bread and with bread, including a look at the myriad uses for breadcrumbs, croutons, and hollowed-out loaves, as well as the hallowed doorstep sandwich and a classic BLT, Loaf Story is a heart-warming celebration of the staff of life.