Title:	Don Tillman’s Standardized Meal System: Recipes and Tips from the Star of the Rosie Novels
	Author:	Graeme Simsion
	Published:	April 14, 2020, Text Publishing Company
	No. of Pages:	168
	Cover Price:	$16.95 Paperback, $8.99 Kindle

---

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.