Miscellaneous

TV cook Delia Smith is visiting Nottingham in February to promote her new book 'How to Cheat At Cooking'. She's been defending the ethos of the new book on BBC Radio Nottingham's Breakfast Show with Andy Whittaker.

Can't cook won't cook

The book is aimed at those of us who don't like cooking and believe that we can't cook. It makes use of many of the ingredients often thought of as taboo with TV chefs and that means food from the freezer, the chill cabinet, and even out of a tin!

So is Delia breaking the unwritten TV chef rules by using frozen ingredients? And why on earth would someone with her skills need to cheat in the kitchen? Delia explains:

"The reason for this book is that there are people out there who are still afraid of cooking."

Beginning her career as a food writer for the Daily Mirror's 'new' magazine in 1969 Delia has been appearing regularly on our TV screens for more than three decades, starting with Family Fare way back in 1973.

BBC Radio Nottingham's Andy Whittaker

Books

She's also written more cookery books than you could shake a spatula at, you've probably got one in your kitchen, but what's on Delia's shelf?

"I've got millions of books, I've got Nigella's books and I've got all Jamie's books."

And what does she think makes a good cookery book?

"It's got to be user friendly and the recipes have got to work, you've got to end up with something that really is good."

If you fancy meeting Delia in the flesh she will be in Nottingham, at Waterstones on Bridlesmith Gate on Wednesday 27 February at 12.30pm.