Alison Holst’s name regularly occurs on most trusted, most Googled and  bestseller lists and this November sees the publication of her 100th book. But it’s not a cookbook this time, it’s a memoir.

Visiting bookshops and libraries and raising funds for assorted charities as she goes, the author tour for ‘A Home-grown Cook: The Dame Alison Holst Story’ begins in Southland on Tuesday and carries on up the country over the month of November.

 “The 100^th book seemed a milestone that would be good to celebrate,” says Alison. “When I first set out I was simply looking to teach young mothers how to cook tasty, healthy meals for their families. That’s what I most wanted to do. I hadn’t planned to write, or be on television, or do any of the things I ended up doing! Somehow, my working life just happened, and I’ve loved it. I’ve loved every minute of it.”

This book is a slice of our social history,” says publisher Neil Hyndman. “There’ll be stories in here that everyone will recognise from their own lives and families. And Alison has included some recipes in this book (of course!). We’ve called them ‘Alison’s All Time Favourite Recipes.’”