I was excited to order this, having watch G.R on his tv show. However, it featured many products we don't have in the states and the recipes were not what I would describe as fast food ideas.

...to try new things. Some of the ingredients don't seem to be things you can get in a regular grocery store (at least here in PA).

I've always loved watching how Gordon Ramsey makes rustic, simple dishes amazing.....he doesn't use 20 ingredients to make a great dish.
As a new mom, I need fast recipes that are easily layed out and this has been working great for me. The ingredients are fresh, and I have actually been able to substitute some ingredients I can't find (such as balsamic vinigar for sherry vinigar, etc, or a different cut of meat) and they still taste great.

Wow, this book is great. Only if you want gourmet food. I was hoping this stuff (ingredients) would be easily available, not so. I was looking forward to items I see on hells kitchen and other shows on bbc. Sure, its Gordons best all the time.

The single most benefit I have found from this cookbook is learning new and unusual flavor combinations that I would never have thought of. This isn't a technical manual for cooking, meaning that you should be somewhat experienced with cooking. For example, some recipes call for you to simply "cook" the meat on both sides until golden brown; it's up to you to determine the heat setting and length of time. That being said, I'll go into my likes and dislikes now.

Likes:
*Great and unique methods of combining just a few simple ingredients to make restaurant-quality meals.
*Most of the recipes take 30 min. to an hour (including prep time).
*Some of the recipes use many of the same ingredients and go well together so that you don't end up buying a large package of some ingredient just to use a little bit and throw the rest away.
*There's a full appendix on how to make your own sauces and stocks.
*He has provided both individual recipes and full-length menus for various seasons/events/themes.

Dislikes:
*The only things I don't like are the recipes calling for creme fraiche--something I can't buy where I live. I will try to make my own, though, so I won't get discouraged. And although some of the other ingredients in the book may seem exotic, many can be found at smaller ethnic markets around town.

Conclusion:
If you're comfortable with basic elements of cooking (e.g. sauteeing, deglazing and reducing a pan to make a sauce, etc.) then you will love this book.

This is the second Ramsey book I've bought. The first one was a real disappointment, and I'd hoped that was just a fluke. This one has little to offer any normal cook or chef, seemingly aimed at people who have an unlimited access to seldom seem ingredients and a larger budget for food than most of us. A real disappointment. I thoroughly enjoy his several TV shows, but won't be buying any of his cookbooks again...