Cook Chinese food the way it is actually cooked and save $1,900 a year on takeaway.

I bought the set because I wanted to know why my chicken always turned out tougher than the takeaway’s. Started with The Velvet Trick and tried it that same evening. My wife noticed the difference before I even mentioned the books.

Lee explains things in a friendly, practical way. You understand what to do and why it matters, without feeling like you’re studying for something. We’ve started cooking Chinese at home more often, and it’s become something we look forward to. For $27, I’m very pleased with what I got.

I have plenty of cookbooks, but this set has already spent more time on the kitchen counter than most of them. The advice about getting everything ready and cooking in the right order was especially helpful. Such a simple thing, but dinner feels much less rushed now.

I like Lee’s straightforward explanations. No long-winded fuss, just useful guidance that makes sense once you try it. My stir-fries are coming out better, and I’m enjoying making them more. Very happy with these books.

I’ve cooked for years, but Chinese food was something I never quite got comfortable with. I could follow a recipe and still end up with chewy beef or a pan full of watery vegetables. I wasn’t sure what I was getting wrong.

What I liked about Lee’s books is that they helped me spot those little mistakes. The sections on preparing the meat and managing the heat were useful, but the biggest surprise was The Order Nobody Teaches You. I used to start cooking and then scramble to get everything else ready. Having a sensible order has made the whole job easier.

There’s enough detail to learn from without getting lost in it. I’ve gone back to a few sections before making dinner, and each time there’s something I’m glad I checked.

I’m particularly pleased that I’ve been able to put the advice to use in my own kitchen with the equipment I already have. These are books I’ll keep using.

Friday night usually meant ordering Chinese because neither of us felt like putting much thought into dinner. I bought Lee’s books thinking we might try cooking a few favourites ourselves.

The first attempt was a bit untidy, but the food was lovely. Now my husband does the chopping while I get everything ready for the pan. We’re getting quicker, and we’ve found a couple of meals we keep wanting to make again.

The books have a reassuring way about them. You feel encouraged to have a go. I bought them for the food, but cooking together has turned out to be a nice bonus.