I love Don Tillman.
I love The Rosie Project and its sequels.
I've enjoyed other books, by Simsion.
Unfortunately, I did not love this book.

Graeme Simsion is a wonderful writing and have read all of his books so far. While this isn’t a novel but a cookbook/cocktail creation it contains a lot of his humour that are a prominent feature of his novels. While the recipes themselves sound interesting it is the way they are presented to the reader is both hilarious and at times enlightening.

Firstly the details steps are incredible - such precision, timing and advice are all incorporated. Too long to give an example except to say that if you aren’t sure of what exactly to do with the recipes included here they are giving you every single moment!

Secondly the footnotes are so amusing, like a side remark or comment. For example when discussing a recipe and the timing when having guest his footnote is:

I recommend us of the word “ sharp” when specifying arrival time, and the avoidance of such ambiguous formulations as “6:30 for 7:00”. If you have French guests, it is vital to emphasise that local custom is for guests not to be “politely late”. If you are French yourself, you should expect guests from other countries to arrive at the time you specify, and therefore you should be clothed and prepared.


Thirdly, his advice on diet and drinking habits are included, again with the typical Don Tillman sense of humour.

Spaghetti Puttanesca - This meal is not only delicious but could also save your life. It contains a large quantity of salt and I recommend a blood-pressure test for all household members before eating it. If high blood pressure is detected, the physician is likely to be able to prescribe an effective pharmaceutical treatment with (generally) minimal side effects. As well as being able to consume spaghetti puttanesca with relative safely, you will be treating a medical problem which could have had fatal consequences if undetected.

I found this to be a wonderfully relaxing and enjoyable read which for a recipe type book is most unusual but also refreshing.

Thank you to Netgalley and Text Publishing for a copy to read and to give an honest review.

Don Tillman is the protagonist of the Rosie Trilogy by Australian novelist, Graeme Simsion. Don Tillman’s Standardized Meal System: Recipes and Tips from the Star of the Rosie Novels is a how-to book, including hints on shopping, recipes, etc. by Tillman. The basic gist of the book is that Tillman prepares seven dishes, one each day of the week for an entire season. This means that family members eat the same thing every Tuesday, and the same thing every Wednesday, etc. It seems that, not having read the novels, Don Tillman may be OCD, or isn’t interested in food. This system definitely will not excite foodies, who want variety in their diets, and want to eat what they are in the mood for at any given time. In fact, if the powers that be who decide what the dishes are to be served choose something that family members don’t like, they are simply out of luck. The shopping hints insure that there are no leftovers in the fridge and no extra anything; apparently Tillman doesn’t eat snacks or get hungry for something different. One thing worth mentioning is that the book is humorous, and for those who just want to read something funny, this is a good choice.

The book does include some real-life shopping tips, as well as some excellent recipes. However, no real food lover will want to eat the same dishes every week, and no matter how good the recipes are, those who love food will want to eat whatever they want on Tuesday and not have someone tell them that it’s tuna-noodle casserole tonight-no arguments allowed. Tillman claims that his system reduces the amount of stress in what to decide to make for dinner, but I think it takes the fun out of deciding what to eat.

Another problem is that there are no photographs of the recipes. Proper recipe books include recipes because those who cook want to see what the dishes look like.

Unless you are a big fan of the Rosie Trilogy, this book isn’t one you will want to own. There are much better cookbooks out there. If, however, you don’t care that you eat the same thing all of the time, and are OCD, this may be your ticket to perfect meals.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

I read (being honest, I had read to me - Audiobook version!) and loved - The Rosie Project, so I was excited to read this further installment. Fans of the series will enjoy it but I suggest reading at least The Rosie Project before this so you can get to know the regimented but funny, observant character of Don Tillman. This is part novel, part recipe book, with very decent recipes!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I love all of the Don Tillman books so I was very excited to see this book. It is not like the others, but it was great getting into the Don Tillman story again.

A quick read that is half him rambling on like he does and half cookbook.

If you have read the others, you will enjoy this one too.

I delayed reading The Rosie Result because I didn't want it to all be over. I couldn't wait any longer. I finished it today. There was tears sure but lots and lots of smiles. I was chuffed when I remembered that I got this from Netgalley. I was saving it for this very moment, to extend my time with Rosie, Don and Hudson just a little bit longer. This extra glimpse in Don's mind is special gift that I will treasure as much as the tweet I received on my birthday several years ago when I finished The Rosie Project.

This is so fun! I enjoyed reading it and definitely plan to purchase as a cookbook when it's released. The recipes look great, and it's so fun getting reacquainted with my old friends Don and Rosie. Thank you for letting me read and review!

“The guacamole component should not be made in advance, as it is likely to be discovered and eaten. This will unbalance the main meal and encourage margarita consumption, which is technically not permitted on a Thursday.”

Don Tillman’s Standardised Meal System is a guide book from the protagonist in Graeme Simsion’s Rosie novels. Which reader of The Rosie Project can forget the scene where Don explains to Rosie how his meal system works? It apparently struck a chord with many readers, who wanted more detail. And here it is!

As expected, the format is logical, beginning with an explanation of the rationale for using the system, listing, even-handedly, both its many advantages and also, until it was revised, the (now non-existent) disadvantages. The Principles and Rules are clearly stated, and these make good sense. The General Advice section is also useful.

Menu Plans and Recipes follow. A basic Breakfast plan precedes four sections with weekly menus for each season. Within each section, the Recipes list ingredients under two headings: Common Resources; and Recipe-Specific Ingredients; thus simplifying shopping. He also includes a downloadable User-modifiable shopping lists and equipment lists to assist with this chore.

Ever organised, Professor Tillman provides little reminders of things that need to be prepared in advance, on the day they need to be done. And the recipes? Delicious-sounding and none too complicated, with variations on the basic recipes suggested. Don gives advice on (and rationale for) healthy food and alcohol consumption, although his cocktail suggestions for the Autumn Tuesday menu are likely to invite numerous experiments.

But lest the reader think the content is dry and dull, it should be stated that careful reading often reveals hilarious gems, stated in typical Don Tillman fashion thus: “Almost everyone has the ingredients for an omelet, but many lack a non-stick pan – more specifically, a non-stick pan which has not lost its non-stick properties through use of an unsuitable spatula or cleaning regimen. If your host has a damaged non-stick pan, I recommend disposing of it – surreptitiously, because experience suggests they will react negatively to advice on the importance of proper maintenance.”

Another amusing pearl: “Strip leaves from sweet corn, hold on its end on a chopping board, and use knife to “shave off” the kernels. Retrieve stray kernels from bench and floor, and put in bin or with other kernels, depending on your attitude to hygiene and waste.” Similarly: “Put broccoli in baking dish with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Grate 3 tablespoons of parmesan cheese, add to dish, and toss using hands if nobody watching, spoons otherwise.”

Don also suggests meal-related topics for discussion over dinner, and shares his conversations with the food vendors he regularly encounters. In fact, Don wisely (given his nature) delegates the need for spontaneity in his menus to these food experts. This wealth of useful information is contained within a sturdy little hardback book with an attractive cover designed by W.H.Chong.
This unbiased review is from a copy provided by NetGalley and Text Publishing.

I have not read the Rosie novels but I am interested in many of the recipes in this book and I like the standardized meal plan idea. I will definitely go back and read the Rosie novels now. I plan to try several of these recipes.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Text Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC. This is a fun recipe book with lots of humour. I’m trying the granola recipe now, smells wonderful in the oven.

I couldn't pass up the opportunity to read this when I saw it, because I loved The Rosie Project (although I haven't read any of the others and this book does spoil the story a little bit, as it goes after them and snippets of previous events are mentioned.)

This is an interesting format of a book, cause it's mostly a cookbook, but it still definitely carries the vibe of the Don Tillman stories and his commentary. It even has a lot of tiny stories sprinkled throughout the recipes! Things are quite logically explained and the recipes are interesting. I won't be able to comment much on the recipes themselves since I'm not much of a cook, but they did seem interesting, very detailed and diverse in styles and cuisines, and they also come adjusted for the four seasons. And they certainly made me hungry.

The only problem for me personally was that a lot of the recipes are for the grill, so if you live in a city apartment, you won't be able to try them (but that's probably less of a problem in the US as it is where I live). But other than that, this is a really cool book with loads of ideas, even on treating guests (even wine types are recommended!) and using leftovers in a smart and economical way. And of course, if you love the character, you'll simply enjoy another glimpse at the life of his family as well.

I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.

As a fan of The Rosie Project, I really enjoyed this addition to the series. It felt like a very real depiction of this character and stayed true to the Don Tillman mindset I had come to love. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoyed the rest of the books.

Includes the weekly system of food preparation created by Professor Don Tillman, star of the Rosie trilogy. This handsome hardcover boasts everything from recipes for Don’s signature lobster salad to the world’s best risotto, across the four seasons. The guide also includes handy tips about losing weight, mixing cocktails and stress-free entertaining. Don Tillman’s Standardized Meal System will not only show readers how to make his delicious meals: it will open your mind to a different way of shopping, cooking and living. The Don Tillman way.
I enjoyed the book. Don Tillman did have me laughing.I wonder how he finds time to do all this crazy cooking.

As someone who loves Don Tillman, I was extremely excited to get a chance to read this book/cookbook. I enjoyed the Don comments before the recipe but that’s the part where I think this book is aimed to just a certain audience.

I requested this book with a friend in mind who loves this series, thinking I might be able to gift it to them. I'm personally not a fan so this book isn't for me, but I could see me buying it for someone else.

I loved this so much! If you love the Rosie Probject books you have to read (if not cook from) this book. I so enjoyed getting to hear Don Tillman’s voice curating these recipes.

I really enjoyed this whimsical accompaniment to the fantastic Rosie books, which feature Don Tillman and his standardised meal plan. Written in the unmistakable style of Don, this is a cookery book with a difference. Aimed at the reasonable home cook, there are recipes that I’ll be giving a bash and as I put the instructions to use, I’ll enjoy being instructed by one of my favourite characters in recent years. If you haven’t read the Rosie books (which I would highly recommend), I’m not quite sure what you would make of this book, so maybe don’t start here! With huge thanks to Netgalley and Text Publishing for an ARC in consideration of an honest review.