In Annabel Crabb's accidental second career as the host of political cooking show Kitchen Cabinet, she negotiates her way into the homes of Australian politicians, bringing dessert - the internationally recognised culinary code for 'I come in peace'.

But food is a language that says so much more than 'Please let me in, Madam Speaker'. To friends and family, food can say everything from 'I'm sorry you had a bad day' to 'Congratulations, you clever thing'. And it means still more when brought to the door.

Now, in Special Delivery, Annabel has teamed up with her best friend from childhood, fellow food tragic and Kitchen Cabinet recipe consultant Wendy Sharpe, to bring you recipes for those knockout desserts as well as tons more ideas for soups, salads, pastries, breads and other treats ideally suited to make and take to those you love. Each recipe is offered up with transport instructions or an implicit promise to look the other way if you just want to eat it straight from the tin.