A First Taste of Feast, the cookbook by Sarah Rankin

Sarah's second book, the first was Kith

Feast is the second cookbook from MasterChef finalist Sarah Rankin. It features nearly 100 recipes across 15 themed menus designed for every kind of gathering—from Hogmanay parties and Sunday brunches to pizza nights and summer picnics. Each menu includes seasonal Scottish produce and a paired drink, with dishes that can be served together or enjoyed individually. Rankin’s style blends global inspiration with local ingredients, celebrating connection through food.

I attended a workshop to get first-hand experience of cooking from Feast at Violet Kitchen Studio in Perthshire:

My first ‘Feast’ by Sarah Rankin

Golden leaves float through the air as the wind picks up—yes, the cold season is here. After a wet drive through the beautiful Perthshire countryside, I arrive at the Violet Kitchen Studio, nestled among colourful trees and scenic views. Sarah Rankin opens the door with a warm smile and greets me. Most of us are already here, and hot beverages are warming us to the task ahead. Sarah divides us into groups, each assigned recipes from Feast.

My cooking partner today is Ailsa, a food journalist from The Herald. Together, we prepare a crunchy Kohlrabi and Apple salad, savoy cabbage with garlic chestnuts and Caesar dressing, and spiced Roasted Chickpeas with mixed grains. We work well together. Other pairs tackle the rest of the menu: Lamb Shoulder fritters with salsa verde, Monkfish, and for dessert—delicious Florentines.

The studio is flooded with light and warmed by the sun. And now with all the cooking, there is a wonderful smell of good food. Soon it’s time to plate up. Sarah invites us to the table to share. We fill our plates with a little bit of everything. Though the dishes come from different menus, they harmonise nicely. Sarah brings out jugs of Limonana—a refreshing lemon drink featured in the Marauding Hordes (aka feeding a crowd) menu.

Gill joins us—the owner of Violet Kitchen Studio and another passionate foodie. Sarah’s cooking style is elegant yet unapologetically informal. Her food becomes a vehicle for connection and memory, inviting us to share stories and bread at the table.

This is my first memory of Feast, and Sarah invites you to explore her recipes so you can create your own. Available now (£25.00 hardback)

Read our review of Sarah's first book Kith