IT was a full house at the Glen Derwent Tea Rooms in New Norfolk on Saturday for the southern launch of Sally Wise’s 17th cookbook.

According to the publisher of The Comfort Bake the book is an invitation to nourish yourself and your loved ones with food that warms the heart.

And Gourmet Farmer Matthew Evans says Sally is the “granny we all wished we had’’.

Sally, who lives and runs a cooking school at Molesworth, believes baking is the perfect antidote to busy times, providing a double dose of solace: the contemplative act of baking itself, and the great big buttery prize at the end, which tastes even better when shared or given away entirely.

She prides herself on presenting recipes that don’t need fancy equipment or specialist skills.

The food served to the 100 guests at afternoon tea was based on three savouries and three sweet recipes from The Comfort Bake.

Liz Virtue from Glen Derwent said the books sold like hot cakes, but some are still available at tea rooms.