I think we all live in a world that is so fast-paced, it's threatening and absolutely saturated with change and novelty and insecurity. Therefore, the ritual of cooking and feeding my family and friends, whoever drops in, is what makes me feel that I'm in a universe that is contained.

On the whole, I prefer Christmas as an adult than I did as a child.

I am not a chef. I am not even a trained or professional cook. My qualification is as an eater.

I don't believe you can ever really cook unless you love eating.

In England and America people tend to graze all day long, but I think it's such a waste to be constantly picking at food because you then can't enjoy a proper full meal when the time comes.

Tension translates to your guests. They'll have a much better time having chili and baked potatoes than they would if you did roast duck with a wild cherry sauce and then had to lie down and cry for a while.

(In cooking), there is always room for careful tinkering.