I was brought up an atheist and have always remained so. But at no time was I led to believe that morality was unimportant or that good and bad did not exist. I believe passionately in the need to distinguish between right and wrong and am somewhat confounded by being told I need God, Jesus or a clergyman to help me to do so.

I need to be frightened of things. I hate it, but I must need it, because it's what I do.

And cooking is about balance and harmony.

I never taste the wine first in restaurants, I just ask the waiter to pour.

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

People who have fabulous childhoods have this sense that nothing is ever going to be that good again. With me, I have the sense that nothing is going to be that bad.

I am not sure about facelifts because I wouldn't want to be someone who just looks like she's had a facelift.