Historian and amateur foodie Rupert Matthews said that, with the growing emphasis on sourcing local produce, there has never been a better time to celebrate the county's status as the produce capital of Britain.

Rupert said: "I am delighted to have been asked to write this book because the county's food and drink is second to none.

"I was brought up on Stilton cheese, Melton Mowbray pork pies and other traditional fayre, but the county is now also producing fine wines and other more exotic products. This book aims to feature as wide a range of Leicestershire's products and recipes as possible.

"I would like to appeal to readers of the Melton Times to help me do justice to the wealth of food and drink in the county. I am looking for local recipes and local producers – be they small craft kitchens or larger producers of quality foods and drink.

"If anyone can help, please e-mail me on rupert@rupertmatthews.com or call 07721 455944. Together we can showcase our local foods and drinks to best effect."

The 128-page book will be part of the Tempus series Food and Drink Counties priced £12.99 and is due to be published in spring 2009.

It will celebrate the character of the county and demonstrate how its landscape, history and culture have shaped its diet.